Bond has been revoked for the couple accused of killing a relative – then dumping the body in a chert pit in Etowah County – however the bond revocation came about as the result of a case of child abuse.

Both Elizabeth and Curtis Austin are charged with child abuse in Etowah County and with murder in Marshall County.

They were arrested on the abuse charge last November and that case has been turned over to a grand jury; the pair was released after making bond on the charges.

With the judge revoking bond in that case – should the pair manage to then bond out on the murder charge, they would immediately be placed back in jail on the child abuse charge.

Authorities believe that the couple killed Judith McElroy Carranza in Marshall County, then dumped the body in Etowah County; Carranza was Elizabeth Austin’s aunt – and was listed as a witness in the child abuse case.

The Austin’s were arrested in Bay County Florida – where they remain awaiting extradition back to Alabama.

(WAFF TV48/www.waff.com)