Aberdeen, WA dad arrested in connection with death of 4-year-old son
Lawmaker demands child welfare changes
A young boy was found dead and buried in an Aberdeen backyard after being returned to his biological parents from foster care, prompting a state lawmaker to call for immediate changes to child welfare laws.
ABERDEEN, Wash. - An Aberdeen man was arrested early Thursday morning in connection with the death of his 4-year-old son.
Timeline:
Aberdeen police officers originally responded to a missing child complaint on May 12 involving the suspect's 6-year-old daughter. Investigators determined she was safe with her mother in a non-criminal custody matter.
As police investigated, officers determined that the girl was with her mother and that it was a custodial issue.
After following up, detectives asked about the whereabouts of the suspect’s 4-year-old son.
According to police, the father told them that the child was staying with a relative out of state.
When officers contacted the relative, they were told the child was not and had never been in their care.
Detectives interviewed the father, which led to the discovery of the child’s body buried on the property. The circumstances surrounding the child’s death are still under investigation.
On May 15, Aberdeen detectives and the Washington State Patrol Crime Scene Response Team recovered remains buried on the property.
The father was booked on felony charges of second-degree murder and first-degree manslaughter. He also faces misdemeanor charges of unlawful disposal of remains and making a false or misleading statement to a public servant.
As of Thursday, he was being held at the Aberdeen City Jail, pending transfer to Grays Harbor County Jail.
The Source: Information in this story came from the Aberdeen Police Department.
MORE NEWS FROM FOX 13 SEATTLE
Cruise ship diverts 120 miles to rescue 74-year-old sailor stranded off Oregon coast
Auburn man to be sentenced for hate crime attack on bus
Pacific, WA police bust illegal marijuana grow operation with bear traps set
Auburn Police fires officer arrested for immoral communication with minor
Longview mill implosion: Thousands of dead fish found in drainage ditches
2 arrested in deadly shooting of 17-year-old in Parkland, WA
Here's what to know about Seafair's 4th of July fireworks at Gas Works Park
University of Washington honors slain student Juniper Blessing
To get the best local news, weather and sports in Seattle for free, sign up for the daily FOX Seattle Newsletter.
Download the free FOX LOCAL app for mobile in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store for live Seattle news, top stories, weather updates and more local and national news.