Quadruple Murder Suspect in Tenn. Abandoned Baby Case Just Unveiled a Surprising Defense By Samira Asma-Sadeque

The man charged in connection with the killing of four family members — and leaving an infant alive but abandoned — is speaking out. 

Austin Drummond, 28, was arrested on Aug. 5, just a week after the 7-month-old baby was found abandoned in a front yard in Dyer County, Tenn., authorities previously said.

Hours after the baby was found deceased, authorities found her parents, grandmother and uncle slain elsewhere in the county.

Drummond has said he was dating Rose’s sister, but further connection between him and his victims is still not clear.

Now, in an exclusive interview with local outlet News Channel 5, Drummond claims he was working as an undercover agent for federal investigators.

“During my time working for them I helped them uncover drug dealers selling multiple kilos of cocaine, also drug traffickers delivering pounds of meth,” he told the outlet from jail.

“We identified dirty law enforcement and correctional personnel and tapped Vice Lord leadership phones,” he said.

“I am not an innocent man, but I am not guilty of what they have charged me with,” he added.

While it was not immediately clear how his claims of being undercover would be connected to the murders, he allegedly told News Channel 5, without elaborating, that he was in some capacity linked to the killings.

He, however, continued to maintain his innocence.

“I had no reason to hurt these people. They were my girlfriend’s family who had became my family,” he said, “I took Adrianna to the hospital to have her baby. I helped teach Braydon to drive. Matthew was like a little brother to me, man.”

He told the outlet he recently learned his cover was blown and got further scared upon hearing about the murders, which is why he ran.

“I did not handle the situation right by running, but I was afraid,” he told News Channel 5.

Before Drummond was arrested in connection to the case, authorities arrested three people on charges of accessory after the fact.

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Drummond is facing charges of first-degree murder, aggravated kidnapping, felon in possession of a firearm and possession of a firearm during the commission of a dangerous felony.

Drummond has pleaded not guilty and is being held in custody without bond.