Couple face charges in 6-month-old son's death

After their 6-month-old son died suddenly in San Diego, a Mason County couple created an organization to offer support to parents who have lost a child to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. On their Web site, the couple pay tribute to Thomas, who died on a family trip in October.

But now the Shelton couple have been charged in the boy's death, which was ruled a homicide by a San Diego County medical examiner who found the child was overdosed with adult medication.

Thomas Michael Boettger, 38, and Lorrie Jean Boettger, 38, have each been charged in San Diego County with one count of child abuse. The couple were arrested Monday in Seattle and are being held in King County Jail in lieu of $1 million bail each, pending extradition.

The parents could each face 12 years in prison if convicted of the charge, which includes a special allegation of child abuse likely to produce great bodily injury, said Steve Walker, spokesman for the San Diego County District Attorney's Office.

The Oct. 25, 2006, death of Thomas Boettger Jr. was due to intoxication of doxylamine and diphenhydramine — antihistamine and sleeping medications — the San Diego County medical examiner stated in a January report. Bruises were also found on the baby's arm, according to the report.

The death of the boy has been well-publicized on several Web sites, including one created by his parents — www.tlclimited.com, which is dedicated to babies who have died from Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, defined as the unexplained, sudden death of an infant under 1 year old.

The Boettgers were visiting San Diego County with their son and 10-year-old daughter at the time of the boy's death, according to San Diego police. According to charging papers, the Boettgers had gone to Disneyland and then on to stay with a niece in San Diego. Just after 7 a.m. Oct. 25, the niece called 911 and said the baby was not breathing, the police report states.

Police said the Boettgers had diagnosed Thomas Jr. with acid reflux and colic and treated the boy with adult over-the-counter sleeping medications, according to the report. In the few days before the boy's death, Thomas Boettger had given the baby four to six tablets of sleeping medication crushed together and administered orally by syringe, according to the report.

Lorrie Boettger had learned how to administer the drugs on the Internet, the report states.

On the morning of the boy's death, the baby awoke crying and Thomas Boettger orally administered some or all of the following medications: Unisom, Zantac, Benadryl and Sominex in syringes and bottles before placing the child in his travel crib face-up, the report states.

After the medical examiner ruled the death a homicide this year, San Diego police detectives attempted to contact the Boettgers, who had returned to Washington state, but could not find them, the report states. A warrant was issued for their arrest.

Seattle police arrested the couple Monday evening in a Northgate parking lot. During a search, a loaded pistol and a pair of handcuffs were found on Thomas Boettger, according to the Seattle police report.

The couple have not yet agreed to be extradited. Taking them to California without their consent to face charges there could take up to 90 days, Walker said.

They appeared before a King County judge in jail on Thursday and pleaded not guilty to being fugitives, the local charge used to arrest them.

Friends and family members of the Boettgers could not be reached Friday. An online memorial to the boy describes the family's trip to California and says simply of the morning of his death: "Our beautiful boy was blue and still."

Another post, dated Jan. 29 and signed "Mommy," says: "I miss you more than ever, and I love you Baby Thomas. I love you so much."

Times news researcher Miyoko Wolf contributed to this report. Natalie Singer: 206-464-2704 or nsinger@seattletimes.com