Dee Ann Warner’s Stepson Arraigned in Lenawee County

Jaron Warner. Photo by Tracy Stengel.

Jaron Warner, 28, made his first court appearance today after being arrested on Saturday morning for accessory to a felony after the fact and tampering with evidence in connection to the murder of his stepmother, Dee Ann Warner. His father, Dale Warner, was charged with murdering his wife, Dee, and is awaiting trial.

The Hon. Todd Morgan disclosed he had been assigned this case, but Dee had been a past client. “Having represented Dee Warner in the Probate Court prior to becoming a judge, it would be at least an appearance of conflict and I believe that it is appropriate for me to recuse myself,” Judge Morgan said.

Colin Daniels, the attorney representing Jaron, pointed out that another District Court judge, Judge Schaedler, had recused herself from Dale Warner’s trial and since Jaron is Dale’s son, Judge Schaedler would probable recuse herself from his case as well. Judge Morgan said he couldn’t speak for Judge Schaedler.

Judge Morgan signed an order for Jaron to give a DNA sample and fingerprints.

A Pre-Exam Probable Cause Conference is scheduled for March 10, 2025, at 9 AM. The Preliminary Exam is scheduled for March 17, 2025, at 9 AM. The judge is still to be determined.

Jaron was released Sunday from Lenawee County Jail on a $125,000 bond. The judge is going to carry over the bond at this time. The bond amount may change.

Dale and Dee Warner married in 2006. They each had four children from a previous marriage. Dee owned a successful trucking company and together, Dale and Dee had several businesses including a farm and a fertilizer business. Together, they had a daughter who was nine years old when Dee was reported missing on April 25, 2021, from her Tecumseh, Michigan home. Dee vanished the day after she planned to tell Dale she wanted a divorce.

For years, Dee’s friends and family countered Dale’s claims that Dee had ran off to Mexico or Jamaica. Those who loved her knew she would never leave her adult children, grandchildren, and her little girl. According to her nephew, Parker Hardy, Dee always dreamed of a having a big family. Dee went all out for the holidays and family get-togethers. She delighted in spoiling her kids and grandkids. They were her world.

In November 2023, Dale Warner was charged with murder and resides in Lenawee County Jail awaiting trial which is scheduled for September 2, 2025.

In August 2024, Dee’s body was found sealed in an anhydrous ammonia tank Dale once used for his fertilizer business. The tank was stored on their Paragon Road property in the sprayer barn. A sign on the tank read, “Out of service. Do not fill.” The end of the 1,000-gallon tank had been cut off, welded back on, and repainted.

Dee’s family were able to give her a proper burial and laid her to rest by her parents. The headstone, reads, “Dee Ann.” The last name, “Warner,” was omitted.

After Dale was incarcerated, Jaron became the guardian of Dale and Dee’s daughter and has been residing in their house.

For background information on the case of Dee Ann Warner, you can start here. For all the latest updates, join the Justice for Dee Facebook page.