CLINTON, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) — A Clinton man who allegedly killed his mom and spent a day burning her body in the backyard appeared in court for the first time on Wednesday.

Nicholas Yates, 20, is charged with the murder of his mother Cheryl Yates.

According to court documents, Yates had initially filed a missing persons report on his mother. Yates claimed he has not heard from his mother since October 3.

Police then interviewed Yates on October 6. During that interview, Yates claimed that during an argument with his mother, he struck her in the throat before her face turned blue and she fell backward, striking her head on the metal bed frame and a nearby wooden chest

A search of Yates' backyard also found human bones.

“We proceeded to the backyard, where we discovered bones within the b

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