[1]Jasper Henderling-Warner / Courtesy photo by Lewis County Sheriff’s Office
Updated at 1:32 p.m.
By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter
CHEHALIS – The Vader couple taking care of the 3-year-old boy who died under suspicious circumstances early last month have been arrested for homicide by abuse.
Brenda Wing, 27, and Danny Wing, 26, were taken into custody just before 11 a.m. today at the Child Protective Services office in Centralia.
Firefighters and deputies responded the evening of Oct. 5 to a 911 call from the Wing’s home, in which Brenda Wing said the boy was unconscious and not breathing. Responders continued CPR and conducted other life-saving measures but the toddler was pronounced dead at Providence Centralia Hospital.
The Lewis County Sheriff’s Office at the time said only that it was suspicious, but now reveals the child had severe and obvious bruises and injuries to his entire body.
“The Wing’s explanation for the injuries were inconsistent with the investigation and autopsy findings,” Chief Civil Deputy Brown states in a news release. “The Wing’s stories have varied from each other as well.”
Jasper Henderling-Warner’s cause of death is labeled by the coroner as chronic battered child syndrome.
Brown indicated the boy’s mother had allowed the Wings to care for her child for several months. The mother resides in Vancouver, Wash.
Brown said the Wings are family of the mother, although it isn’t clear exactly how they are related.
A detective told the mother today by phone of the arrest, Brown said.
“She’s obviously very upset with it,” Brown said. “She’s angry and she’s sad.”
The child’s father was notified as well, according to Brown.
Lewis County Sheriff Steve Mansfield states that Jasper died from severe abuse and neglect, calling his treatment appalling.
“To think this poor little boy went through months of pain and suffering is heart wrenching,” Mansfield said in a prepared statement. “This case is a solemn reminder of the sickening and tragic consequences surrounding a life of drugs, alcohol, and abuse.”
The Wing’s have been charged with homicide by abuse, and should be held accountable for their role in the boy’s death, Lewis County Prosecutor Jonathan Meyer said in the news release.
“No child should be forced to endure the pain and agony that Jasper suffered,” Meyer stated.
Brown said she wasn’t prepared to go into detail about why the mother put her son into the care of relatives.
Brenda and Danny Wing have three children of their own, between infancy and age 6, who are all currently in custody with CPS, according to Brown.
The sheriff’s office asks for anyone with any information on this incident to call Detective Engelbertson at (360) 748-9286 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-748-6422 to earn a reward or remain anonymous.
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For background, read “Law investigating death of toddler from Vader residence” from Monday October 6, 2014, here [2]