03/17/2007

Associated Press

A Shelton couple has been charged in the death of their 6-month-old son, who they say died due to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome while vacationing in California.

Thomas and Lorrie Boettger, both 38, were being held in King County Jail in lieu of $1 million bail each, pending extradition to San Diego, where they've been charged with one count each of child abuse.

The Boettgers could each face 12 years in prison if convicted, said Steve Walker, spokesman for the San Diego County District Attorney's Office.

The couple's son, Thomas Jr., died Oct. 25, 2006, while the family was on a trip to Disneyland and staying with a niece. The Boettgers, who also have a 10-year-old daughter, had diagnosed the boy with acid reflux and colic and treated him with adult over-the-counter sleeping medications, according to charging papers.

According to investigators, Lorrie Boettger had learned to administer the drugs on the Internet.

In the days before he died, Thomas Jr. was given by his father four to six tablets of sleeping medication crushed together and administered orally by syringe, according to the report.

When the boy awoke crying Oct. 25, his father gave him several medications, including Unisom, Zantac, Benadryl and Sominex — then placed him in his travel crib face-up.

Around 7 a.m., the niece called 911 to say the baby wasn't breathing.

After his death, the couple created an organization to support parents who have lost children to SIDS, as well as a Web site paying tribute to Thomas Jr.

But in a January report, the San Diego County medical examiner ruled the boy's death a homicide, concluding that he died due to intoxication of doxylamine and diphenhydramine — antihistamine and sleeping medications.

The report also showed that the child had bruises on his arms.

After their son's death, the family returned to Washington state. A warrant was issued for the couple's arrest after investigators couldn't find them.

They were arrested Monday in a Northgate parking lot. Thomas Boettger was carrying a pistol and handcuffs, according to a Seattle police report.