Karmelo Anthony’s parents, Kayla Hayes and Andrew Anthony, have spoken publicly about their son following his conviction in the fatal stabbing of 17-year-old Texas high school athlete Austin Metcalf. Anthony, 19, was found guilty of murder and sentenced to 35 years in prison after a jury rejected his argument that he acted in self-defense during the confrontation at a school track meet.
The case attracted national attention, placing both families under intense public scrutiny. Hayes testified during her son’s sentencing hearing and asked jurors to show mercy, while Andrew Anthony previously defended his son’s character and disputed claims that he initiated the confrontation. Their statements, along with controversy surrounding an online fundraiser, have kept the Anthony family in the public spotlight.
Who Are Karmelo Anthony’s Parents?
Karmelo Anthony’s parents are Kayla Hayes and Andrew Anthony, who became publicly known following the fatal stabbing of Austin Metcalf at a Texas high school track meet in April 2025.
Before the incident, the family largely remained outside national media attention.
Their public statements have focused on their son’s background, the circumstances surrounding the confrontation, and the impact of the criminal case on their household.
Andrew described Karmelo as a hardworking student who maintained strong academic grades and held two jobs.
Kayla has spoken about the emotional difficulties experienced by the family following his arrest and prosecution.
The couple’s public involvement intensified as the case progressed through the legal system.
Although both parents supported their son, the jury ultimately rejected the defense’s account of the stabbing.
Who Is Karmelo Anthony’s Mother Kayla Hayes?
Kayla Hayes is Karmelo Anthony’s mother and one of the most visible members of his family during the criminal proceedings.
She publicly defended her son and later testified at his sentencing hearing.
According to courtroom reporting, Hayes was the only witness called by the defense during that stage of the trial.
She described Karmelo as her eldest child and spoke emotionally about her relationship with him.
“He’s my oldest, he’s my firstborn,” Hayes told the court.
She also expressed her continuing love for her son despite the jury’s guilty verdict.
When asked whether Karmelo regretted his actions, Hayes said he was sorry for what had happened.
She then appealed directly to the jury, asking for mercy when determining his punishment.
Her testimony offered a personal perspective on the defendant’s family life, although it did not change the jury’s conclusion about his criminal responsibility.
Information about Hayes’ professional background, education, and age has not been widely established in reliable public reporting.
Who Is Karmelo Anthony’s Father Andrew Anthony?
Andrew Anthony is Karmelo Anthony’s father and another family member who publicly defended him following the stabbing.
In an interview shortly after the incident, Andrew described his son as a responsible student with a strong academic record.
He said Karmelo maintained a grade point average of approximately 3.7 and worked two jobs while attending school.
Andrew also disputed the suggestion that his son had deliberately initiated the confrontation.
“He was not the aggressor. He was not the one who started it,” he said.
His comments reflected the family’s early position that Karmelo had acted in self-defense.
However, the jury later rejected that defense and convicted Anthony of murder.
Andrew’s public statements attracted attention because they contrasted with the prosecution’s account of the incident.
Beyond his involvement in the case, limited verified information is available about Andrew Anthony’s occupation, age, or personal background.
What Happened in the Austin Metcalf Stabbing Case?
Austin Metcalf, a 17-year-old student-athlete, was fatally stabbed during a high school track meet in Frisco, Texas, on April 2, 2025.
The confrontation involved Metcalf and Karmelo Anthony, who were attending the sporting event.
The incident quickly became a major criminal investigation and attracted widespread national coverage.
Anthony was arrested and charged in connection with Metcalf’s death.
His defense maintained that he had acted to protect himself during the confrontation.
Prosecutors presented a different account, arguing that his actions constituted murder.
During the trial, jurors examined the evidence and heard competing arguments about what occurred.
The jury ultimately found Anthony guilty.
He was subsequently sentenced to 35 years in prison.
The verdict brought a significant stage of the criminal proceedings to a close, although the case continued generating public discussion.
Kayla Hayes Asked the Jury to Show Mercy
One of the most emotional moments involving Karmelo Anthony’s parents came during the sentencing proceedings.
Kayla Hayes appeared before the jury to speak about her son and ask for a less severe punishment.
Her testimony focused on their relationship and her belief that Karmelo regretted the fatal incident.
She explained that he would always remain her child, regardless of the outcome of the criminal case.
Hayes also acknowledged the seriousness of what had happened.
Her appeal came after the jury had already determined that Anthony was criminally responsible for Metcalf’s death.
The sentencing hearing also included emotional statements from Austin Metcalf’s family.
His parents and twin brother described their grief and the lasting impact of losing him.
The jury ultimately imposed a 35-year prison sentence.
Karmelo Anthony’s Grandmother Toni Hayes Reacted to the Verdict
Karmelo Anthony’s grandmother, Toni Hayes, also attracted public attention following the trial.
Video footage showed her reacting emotionally outside the courthouse after the guilty verdict.
She accused the proceedings of racial bias while addressing people gathered nearby.
Her comments drew responses from supporters who had assembled outside the courthouse.
The reaction reflected the intense emotions surrounding the case and the broader public debate that developed during the proceedings.
However, allegations of bias expressed by family members should be distinguished from established findings about the trial.
The jury’s verdict remained a murder conviction based on the evidence presented in court.
Toni Hayes’ public appearance became another widely discussed moment involving the Anthony family.
Controversy Over the Karmelo Anthony Family Fundraiser
The Anthony family also faced scrutiny over an online fundraising campaign established after Karmelo’s arrest.
The campaign was hosted on GiveSendGo and was intended to support legal expenses and family relocation costs.
It eventually raised more than $600,000.
As donations increased, social media users began circulating allegations that the family had purchased a house and vehicle using money from the fundraiser.
Those claims were disputed, and fact-checking of the early allegations found no evidence supporting the reported purchases.
Kayla Hayes publicly rejected accusations that the family had improperly benefited from the donations.
However, later reporting indicated that money from the campaign had been distributed over time for its stated purposes.
The fundraising platform subsequently closed the campaign following Anthony’s conviction.
The available information does not establish that the family used donated funds to purchase a house or car.
The distinction is important because receiving donations for legal defense and relocation does not, by itself, demonstrate financial misconduct.
Why Did Karmelo Anthony’s Family Leave Their Home?
Kayla Hayes previously told reporters that the family experienced threats following the stabbing and the intense publicity surrounding the case.
She described concerns about the safety of her children, including her younger daughter.
According to Hayes, her 13-year-old daughter became frightened about sleeping in her own bedroom because of fears about what might happen.
The family reportedly moved from their home because of security concerns.
These circumstances were among the reasons cited for seeking financial assistance through the online fundraiser.
The situation illustrated how the criminal proceedings affected members of the Anthony household who were not defendants in the case.
At the same time, the safety concerns described by the family remained separate from the evidence considered during Anthony’s murder trial.
Austin Metcalf’s Family Spoke About Their Loss
While attention focused on Karmelo Anthony’s parents, Austin Metcalf’s family also publicly described the devastating impact of his death.
Austin’s father, Jeff Metcalf, established a GoFundMe campaign to help the family following the tragedy.
In his message, Jeff described Austin as a dedicated student and talented football player with plans for the future.
He said his son had maintained a 4.0 grade point average and had been voted his football team’s most valuable player.
Austin’s twin brother, Hunter Metcalf, also played football alongside him.
The family described Austin as a young man whose leadership and enthusiasm had made a lasting impression on those around him.
Their fundraising campaign attracted substantial public support, raising nearly $600,000 according to the figures provided.
During the sentencing proceedings, Austin’s relatives delivered victim impact statements explaining how his death had changed their lives.
Their testimony emphasized the personal loss behind a case that had become the subject of widespread public debate.
What Is Known About Karmelo Anthony’s Parents Now?
Kayla Hayes and Andrew Anthony remain publicly associated with their son’s criminal case because of their statements during the investigation, trial, and sentencing.
Kayla’s courtroom testimony demonstrated her continuing support for Karmelo, while Andrew’s earlier interviews emphasized his son’s academic achievements and disputed the initial allegations about the confrontation.
The family also experienced public scrutiny concerning fundraising activities and reported threats.
Although the parents have spoken about their personal experiences, many details about their private lives remain undisclosed.
For those searching for Karmelo Anthony’s parents, Kayla Hayes and Andrew Anthony are the mother and father who publicly defended their son throughout a nationally followed murder case.
Their statements form one part of the story, alongside the jury’s conviction and the lasting grief experienced by Austin Metcalf’s family.