The claimed mastermind behind the murders of two Kansas mothers has pleaded no contest to nine charges in connection with their deaths.

Tifany Adams, the mother of Veronica Butler’s ex-husband and grandmother to the children involved in the custody battle, entered the plea Monday in Texas County District Court.

Adams faced charges in the murders of Butler and Jilian Kelley after the two women went missing in Oklahoma in March 2024.

A no-contest plea means Adams is accepting the conviction and punishment without admitting guilt in the case.

According to court documents, the plea agreement states that in exchange for the defendant’s plea of no contest, the State of Oklahoma will not file a bill of particulars or seek the death penalty.

Adams pleaded no contest to two counts of first-degree murder, unlawful removal of a dead body, unlawful desecration of a human corpse, child neglect, and one count of conspiracy.

The state moved to dismiss counts 3, 8, and 9 of the amended information, with court costs assessed to the defendant.

Under the plea agreement, Adams faces life without the possibility of parole on both first-degree murder counts.

The sentences for the remaining charges include five years each for unlawful removal of a dead body and seven years each for unlawful desecration of a human corpse.

All sentences will run concurrently with each other, with credit for time served.

Adams will pay all associated court costs and fees, though court-appointed attorney fees are waived.

The agreement also stipulates that the state will not require Adams to testify in cases involving any related defendants or matters connected to the underlying events.

During Monday’s hearing, Adams affirmed she understood the charges and waived her constitutional rights, including the right to a jury trial. Both the defendant and the state waived the right to a pre-sentence investigation report.

A sentence hearing is scheduled for Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2026, at 9 a.m.

The case stems from the disappearance and murders of Butler and Jilian Kelley, who were killed during what authorities say was connected to an ongoing custody dispute.

There is another court appearance scheduled for Nov. 5 for the final arraignment, where the remaining defendants will be officially informed of their charges and asked to enter a plea.

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