Brittney James

Sources

1. North Edwards couple faces child abuse charges as bail review is postponed, Bakersfield Now, October 30, 2025.

• 1. North Edwards couple faces child abuse charges as bail review is postponed

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  BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KBAK/KBFX) — Matthew and Brittney James, a couple from North Edwards, have been arrested and charged with several serious offenses, including felony child endangerment, assault on a child under eight likely to cause great bodily injury, torture, false imprisonment, and conspiracy.

  They pleaded not guilty to the charges on Oct. 16.

  In a recent court appearance, Judge Cole McKnight granted a continuance for their bail review after Matthew's attorney, Kyle Humphrey, explained that the district attorney is currently involved in another trial.

  On October 30, Brittney and Matthew James attended their bail review at the Kern County Court in Mojave. The hearing was postponed to November 5. KBAK/KBFX
  On October 30, Brittney and Matthew James attended their bail review at the Kern County Court in Mojave. The hearing was postponed to November 5. KBAK/KBFX

  Humphrey also requested that the media be barred from the courtroom, arguing that the case had been sensationalized, but the judge denied this request.

  The couple's alleged victims are their three adopted children.

  RELATED: Court documents reveal abuse claims by 3 adoptive children against North Edwards couple

  One child described being strangled, bound with duct tape, forced to exercise excessively, and denied food and water.

  The siblings confirmed parts of the story and shared additional allegations of abuse.

  Matthew James had close ties to the community, working for the Muroc Joint Unified School District and serving as a bishop in the North Edwards Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

  The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in North Edwards, where defendants Brittney and Matthew James attended. KBAK / KBFX

  An anonymous source claimed that opinions within the congregation are divided, and that the couple often seemed to push their children aside in public settings.

  The bail review and pre-preliminary hearing are scheduled for Nov. 5.

  Brittney and Matthew James attended their bail review at the Kern County Court in Mojave.{ } KBAK/KBFX

  Crystal Simons, a North Edwards resident, said, "Everybody knows about it. Everybody in North Edwards, everybody around just knows about it. Doesn't matter who it is. They heard about it or they know about it."