Darker picture emerges: East Texas man faces new sexual assault, bestiality charges

LIVINGSTON — A Polk County man already under investigation following the suspicious death of a 31-year-old woman is facing a new round of serious charges after another alleged victim came forward, according to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office.
The investigation into Cody Allen Laviolette, 36, began following the suspicious death of Kelly Taylor Mariah Little in May.
Since then, investigators say several additional alleged victims have come forward, resulting in Laviolette’s arrest and multiple criminal charges.
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office says some of those people felt more comfortable speaking with investigators after learning Laviolette remained in custody, easing concerns they had about their safety.
The investigation expanded again Monday, when another person came forward with allegations against Laviolette, according to the sheriff’s office.
Investigators say those allegations resulted in six additional charges:
Assault of a family or household member impeding breath or circulation, a third-degree felony
Aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, a second-degree felony
Aggravated sexual assault, a first-degree felony
Two counts of sexual assault, both second-degree felonies
Bestiality, a state jail felony
Unlawful restraint exposing a person to serious bodily injury, a third-degree felony
The new charges add to four charges already listed in Polk County jail records:
Aggravated assault with a deadly weapon — $200,000 bond
Unlawful restraint exposing a person to serious bodily injury — $200,000 bond
Aggravated assault of a dating/family/household member with a weapon causing serious bodily injury — $500,000 bond
Continuous sexual abuse of a child under 14 or disabled person — $500,000 bond
The bonds on those four existing charges total $1.4 million.
Bail amounts for the six charges announced Aug. 17 were not provided in the sheriff’s office update.
Remembering Mariah Little
The widening investigation began with the suspicious death of Kelly Taylor Mariah Little at Laviolette’s residence.
Little died the following morning, May 24, in Conroe, according to her obituary. She was just four days shy of her 32nd birthday.
Known to family and friends as Mariah, Little was a 2013 graduate of Tarkington ISD and the mother of three children — a daughter and two sons. Her family remembered her as a kind, generous and fun-loving woman who enjoyed music, photography, writing and cooking homestyle meals for her family.
Her obituary says her children were “the light of her world” and motivated her to be the best mother she could be.
Little’s family also remembered her as someone who shared what she had with others, even when she did not have much herself. They described her as a “bright light in the dark of this world” whose smile and laugh could bring sunshine into a room.
Investigators believe there may be more victims
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office says investigators have received information indicating there may be additional alleged victims who have not yet come forward.
Authorities are encouraging anyone who believes they were victimized by Laviolette to contact investigators, regardless of how long ago the alleged incident occurred.
Anyone with information or who believes they may be a victim can contact Detective Craig Finegan or Detective Jessi Stanton at the Polk County Sheriff’s Office at 936-327-6810.
The sheriff’s office has not said in its latest update how Little died or whether Laviolette has been charged in connection with her death. Her suspicious death remains the investigation that initially brought authorities to the case.
The charges against Laviolette are allegations. He is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
KFDM will continue following the investigation and provide updates as additional information becomes available.