James M. Reeder is escorted out of court and back down to the jail.
Updated at 11:37 p.m.
By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter
CHEHALIS – Prosecutors told a judge this afternoon they believe a Centralia toddler was raped and tortured before she died.
James M. Reeder, 25, appeared before a judge in Lewis County Superior Court this afternoon. He is the mother’s live-in boyfriend.
Reeder was not charged, but was ordered held on probable cause for murder, child rape and assault.
Koralynn Fister, 2, was pronounced dead at Providence Centralia Hospital yesterday after Reeder carried her to a house across the street and said he found her face down in the bathtub after he stepped out to get a towel. He was arrested last night.
Koralynn Fister
Defense attorney Bob Schroeter said his client absolutely and positively denies the allegations and has no history of any felony.
The judge ordered the Centralia resident held on $5 million bail.
Lewis County Prosecutor Jonathan Meyer requested a 72-hour hold on Reeder to allow more time for investigation and a final charging decision.
The filed declaration of probable cause describes significant bruising, cuts, abrasions and other wounds found on the child’s body, some in more advanced stages of healing than others.
Among the injuries noted were palm-sized pieces of skin missing from her buttocks, caused according to forensic evaluation, by traumatic injuries inflicted upon the child.
The declaration also mentions missing skin on the top and bottom of a toe, but offers no specific explanation for how any wounds were inflicted.
The pathologist’s examination found four distinct areas of head trauma, according to the declaration. Lewis County Coroner Warren McLeod said earlier today Koralynn died from that and drowning.
Prosecutor Meyer indicated in his filing he believed probable cause existed for at least two counts of rape and assault.
Meyer’s declaration says none of the injuries were noted in a well-child exam conducted in early April and that Reeder has been living with the mother and her two daughters for about 10 weeks.
The prosecutor wrote that Reeder persuaded the mother about a month ago to divide up parenting duties and would insist when the mother left, she take the oldest daughter with her, leaving him time alone with the toddler.
A passage in the declaration includes Reeder telling police the bath began shortly after the mother and older child left the residence at about 12:30 p.m., and neighbors reporting it was around 3:15 p.m. when Reeder was beating on their door, holding the girl and yelling for help.
The fire department was called at 3:09 p.m.
The neighbors said Reeder did CPR on their porch until aid arrived. A witness indicated the child was cold to the touch, according to the declaration.
Centralia Police Department Officer Gary Byrnes noticed the smell of burnt marijuana inside the house, the declaration states.
When Prosecutor Meyer asked for high bail, he said Reeder was a danger to others, even the mother.
“I won’t go into graphic detail, but suffice it to say, that in my career this is the worst case of child abuse and neglect that I have seen,” Meyer said.
Defense attorney Schroeter asked for reasonable bail, pointed out to the judge a row of Reeder’s family members sitting in the back of the courtroom.
“Nobody is more distraught about this situation than Mr. Reeder,” Schroeter said.
“All indications are one person took positive action on behalf of this child,” he said. “And that is Mr. Reeder.”
Judge Richard Brosey granted prosecutor’s request to return Reeder to the courtroom on Tuesday afternoon.
Police today continued searching the house off of West Oakview Avenue.
The 4-year-old half sister has been taken into temporary protective custody.
The state Department of Social and Health Services Children’s Administration issued a statement saying they have no record of history involving the child, nor any previous allegations of abuse or neglect against the mother, Becky Heupel or her boyfriend.
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Tags: By Sharyn L. Decker, news reporter
@ Mindblowing, I’m a mother too. I also would fight for my girls like a momma grizzly bear. But, not all are strong enough. I have seen men and women that have been abused and/or controlled by their partners and have not been strong enough to stand up or to scared. He may have threatened to kill and she was trying to find a way out. We do not know. Please, keep an open mind.
I am just totally discusted in this, I beleive in my heart this man is guilty, i beleive the same thing he has done to little coralyn needs to be done to him but at the end he needs the death penalty not years in prison so our tax dollars can pay for him to eat sleep be warm, watch tv, use the weight rooms, get schooling,etc.. THIS MAN NEEDS TO DIE..PLAIN AND SIMPLE….
This story is so disturbing, sad, frightening, repulsive and abhorrent on so many levels it makes me question how much longer it is going to be before the Apocalypse puts and end to this kind of behavior. WTF is this world coming to? We, as a species, can not go on like this. How could someone rape and torture an innocent child to death? Where was her so-called mother/guardian/protector? I have said it before and will say it again . . . in these times, it is not possible to over-protect your children. I would be immediately suspicious of any man (or woman) who specifically tried to be alone with my child. My kids are adults now, but I was a single mom of two and, until I was married for a second time to a man I that I had been seeing for a year and a half, no man was ever be left alone with my kids. In fact, the second husband never even met my children until we’d been seeing each other for months. The mother is culpable whether her piece of shit boyfriend was abusive and controlling or not! She did not put her child first. If she had, that baby would be alive. I also can not even fathom how it is possible for a grown man to rape a two year old baby. I would think that that act alone would cause death. It makes me nauseous to think about it. Anyone capable of doing something like this should be TORTURED to death in the same manner they tormented their victim. He is not a human being. Therefore, he is not entitled to be treated like one. Fucker will get what he deserves in prison. Mark my words. Then he gets to rot in Hell, as all child abusers and molesters should. My prayers are for the child, her sister and unaware family members. That stupid bitch doesn’t deserve to ever see her other child again.
@ Wondering, I am a mother. I made many many mistakes, but not when it came to the safety of my girls. I would take on a grizzly bear to protect them. Most mom’s would. I do understand control and abuse and maybe that was the case here, but I never understand a mother not protecting her children. It happens every day and I am always shocked to hear of it. I can’t imagine and for that I may be closed minded. I agree with “we need change”. Something has to give for the sake of innocent babies like this one.
You can keep your “Change” – I strongly disagree with you, saying that the government can tell us to get a license before we have children! For example – have you been to the Virginia area, where they ran an IQ of people and then sterilized the ones that were “too low”, and then watched them grow old without children to love? Just because they couldn’t do algebra! How do you think Planned Parenthood got it’s start – to limit black babies! Check out their history!
So how would that work, anyways? Mandatory birth control until license is passed? Starting at what age – puberty?
Let’s check the logistics of “licensing” – how well does that work for gun owners? For auto drivers? It seems that people are going to do whatever they want to – with or without a license! How many thugs in the past year that shot somebody was licensed to carry a weapon? How many drunk drivers were driving WITH a license? How many tickets did the police write for unlicensed drivers?
I am the first one to stand in line to oversee stupid lawbreakers sterilized – just like they should have done to Diane Downs before the guard knocked her up. However, she violated the laws of both God and government FIRST. She would have likely passed your “Parent License” test – then what?? Three little kids would have still been shot – all over a man. How do you fix that one? Would the license give her that right of “I brought you into the world, and I can take you out” mentality?
But then fixing the woman doesn’t fix the idiot man that got her pregnant – so might as well fix him too so he doesn’t pass on his stupidity onto the next generation.
There is NO kind of test for some kinds of stupid! DRUGS are NO respecter of income, home life, or brains! Just read the rest of the Sirens pages – Amanda Lee Bassell “went from an honor roll student to outrageous and out of control almost overnight, according to her parents. She told a psychologist she began smoking methamphetamine in high school.”
I am really not trying to attack you on this post, just hope that you will think through what you are suggesting. A little girl was killed – and in a horrible situation – and there are some very strong emotions in here. But thankfully, our founding fathers set down laws NOT based on emotion (most unlike our last 25 years in government).
Seriously, We need licenses to have children! We have to go to driver’s education and take a test to drive a vehicle but anyone including young meth addicts can have a child without any training, education or proof of abilities 🙁
Mindblowing, you sound very strong but, not all are. He could have been abusive and controlling with the mother and forced her to leave the child there. I’ve known cases like that. We do not know all the details.
Nice Tattoo’s.
I just want to say to those people who loved this little girl..I am sorry. To who ever hurt her, you have obviously suffered and did not need to pass that on to others. There are things out there to help. My heart goes out to the mother. I hear she didnt show up but that doesn’t mean that she doesn’t care. I think it means she is not even strong enough to walk out the door and face people. I am sure she has blamed herself. I am sure she has prayed for her own death. I am sure she is scared and confused and even possibly angry. I dont have all the facts so I cant say what did or didnt happen. I just know that as a parent, and member of society, I don’t keep my mouth shut when I see patterns of abuse in children. Now its time for all of you in the community to pay better attention and stop saying things like “its not my problem”.
She is being bashed for basically not having common since. I was 21 when I got divorced. I had a 2 yr old and a 4 yr old daughter. I had many boyfriends they never even met yet alone got babysat by. If any males stayed at my house my girls slept with me in my room. Always assume it could happen. That’s how you keep your children safe. This mother made BIG mistakes and red flags seemed to be everywhere. As a mother your kids have to ALWAYS come first. You say maybe she was scared of him? Then don’t leave your children with him. Most mother’s would die for their kids. It should be ALL mother’s, but this world is sick. I do agree with the fact that she should not show up to that vigil. People are to angry still. She has suffered a terrible loss that could have been prevented. She has to live with that. If there is any lesson to be had here it is for the single parent.
With the comments that are being said here, would you have shown up if you were in her place? She is being persecuted without all the info known. People are so quick to judge! If she were a victim of his she needs everyone’s support not to be bashed around. Why don’t you all wait for all the evidence to come out?
No I do not know her or anyone here. I’m just sick of seeing these kinds of comments when the full facts are not out there!
Go to hell you bastard. My daughter was abused by her grandfather if family can hurt you so can boyfriends you hardly know. Shame on the mother for not recognizing the bruises that were there prior or not recent. I am appalled. Yes we should pray for that sweet baby who is with Jesus and God. An angel has been made. I can not believe that someone could be so cruel to a baby or any child of any age for that matter. Through away his key and leave him to die in jail. Angry, yes I am.
The mother didn’t even come to the vigil!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I’m wondering what position the mother was in. Is it possible that she was also a victim of his? That she feared reporting him?
The so-called absentee mother should be charged with abetting murder and thrown into jail with this monster too.He will rot both in jail and in hell. Be warned, child abusing adults. And the neighbours from hell – shame on them ! Adults, do not come up with excuses for abusing children. I cannot imagine a child being raped. Gods would bleed too, for such pathetic disgusting adults! Parasites!
Since Thursday May 24 2012 around 5:30 P.M. My entire world has been an extremely disturbing horror film. If the evidence proves Jimmy to be guilty I certainly hope he will be held accountable for the actions that ultimately ended very traumatically. How dare the offender believe that he is superior enough to play god! Vicious, sadistic, sociopath is the only way I can even begin to describe the individual who is responsible for the inhumane torturous proceedings that ended a life. I would like to say that I hope this soulless devil re-lives that exact moment when the awareness that the 2 1/2 year old victim was going to die became a realization to him. The moment her poor little soul couldn’t take any more excruciating agony! The moment panic set in and he decided to prolong her suffering even more by drowning her. Did the attacker honestly believe that an autopsy would not occur!?! That with each and every damaging physical wound she carried they would even be able to so much as say or think the word accident?! What this person took from that precious child is irreplaceable. The injuries she suffered! The fear and anguish this horribly disturbed freak instilled in that baby! ACCIDENT?!?!?! It doesn’t even begin to qualify!!! As disgusting as this person’s mind is I fear if it was re-lived it would only be enjoyable to the heartless and perverse mother f*cker. The amount of twisted pain and suffering that she experienced mentally. He has more than earned the privilege of receiving 10 times the amount of misery he forced her to live with! The multiple violation’s he carried out should be returned in every disfiguring and harmful way he abused her!!!
There is something fishy about the whole story. The story told to news staff is tainted from the get go. Sounds like a whole lotta tv drama and speculation on someones part. I think it sounds more like he left the child in the bath unattended and fell asleep or something. How could the mother NOT notice palm size portions of skin missing? If thats the case she should be charged too.
Regardless of whether or not he is guilty, its gonna take a long time for anyone in this hick town to forget what he hasnt even been charged with yet. Sad that the media doesnt care about slaughtering a persons name before they have all the facts.
One thing is obvious, this entire community is shell shocked by this. The coolest thing said so far is that she’s with Jesus. I pray we all turn to him for peace. I’m guilty of it to, but this thread, in particular, should not be a place to indulge ourselves in arguing or senseless words. It should be a sanctuary for tbe hurting. Ok, I’ll start…to anyone affected by this, family, first responders, doctors, nurses, her sister, and anyone else….. Lord, please bless them and grant them peace that can only come from You. Please heal this family and heal this community. May justice be served quickly. Amen
the loss of any child is devastating to everyone…..that child’s family and friends, and those of the community that child lived in. Even to those who have read this story.
my thoughts and prayers are with that little girl and everyone that cared for her.
And “me”, sorry to prove you wrong but that little girl does not have her hand down her pants. And even if she did, so what. I have 3 children and one of them is 3 and he is constantly putting his hands “down there.” But her hand is CLEARLY NOT DOWN HER PANTS AS YOU SAY. I see a picture of a beautiful little girl whose life ended badly. And it absolutely infuriates me that you would bring up something like that (when you are clearly wrong). when a precious child is dead and you’re arguing details of a picture. That is sad.
Everyone should (and 99.9% do) protect ALL children, whether they are your own or not. No child deserves this. Everyone’s focus should be on the tragedy of this precious girl losing her life and the steps that could have been taken to prevent it. Not a picture.
I am truly sorry for your loss.
Disgusting!!! My heart hurts so bad for this perfectly innocent child;( and for those of you who are arguing about weather or not her hands are in her pants, shame in you! What F ING difference does THAT make..?!?!?!..RIP SWEET LITTLE ANGEL GIRL;(
Thank you for the apology!
I didn’t say names. Really think about how you look. Awfully quick to be defensive! You are right I see her little fingers! The point I was trying to make that obviously went right over your head was that instead of arguing over where her hand is!! Why don’t people act like adults! She is beautiful and innocent. I am waiting for my other post to be approved. Until you read it please stop passing judgment. You are not psychic I assume so take a step back. I love that little girl very much. I will never EVER forget her sassy personality and that cute little “I’m up to something” grin. Her adorable laugh. Or the way she would mean mug ya if you ticked her off! The angels have an amazing new addition!
There is nothing perverse about me. I just don’t like to see something so innocent get turned into something perverse! Believe me when I looked at this angels picture I saw nothing but a beautiful child. I apologize if this discussion offended you.
I believe you have me confused with another post. I never responded saying anything was normal. Go back and read my posts. I have never changed my user name. I have perfect vision. I can see her finger. Do YOU wear glasses? Because its pretty obvious to me that this is an innocent picture of this precious girl. No need to turn it into something its not. Have a good evening.
And to anyone who is so interested in whether or not she has her hand in her pants WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU?! She is with Jesus and so are her precious little hands. This isn’t here to discuss the fact that some of you are just as perverse as her attacker! WHY WOULD YOU EVEN CHECK INTO IT?!
Hand in the pants/hand not in the pants….kids put their hands where they can. Kids put things in their pants, as if they were pockets, kids put their hands in their pants checking things out, all normal stuff. Am sure that if this pic wasn’t connected in any way to this horrid case, nothing would be thought of it. Let’s not make more of this picture than what it is…a beautiful little girl, who appears to be very happy.
you know what u really need to get your damn eyes checked! tell me where it is that u see her other hand and fingers visible bcuz i dont see what your seeing all i see on her other are is her wrist….and you do see it bcuz u responded to my comment saying it was so perfectly normal for kids a little girl to have her hands in her pants stop defending these people! for real! damn
And before you turn my comment into something its not just for arguments sake, let me be clear on saying I agree with every point you have made on here accept that her hands are very visible but the part her long sleeve shirt is covering.
I can see both her hands plain as day. Unless she has one arm much longer then the other one. Her mother made horrible choices. I don’t think anyone has said otherwise. I believe if she can be charged for any crime they will do so.
thank you lucy finally someone sees my point of view and says it like it is!
zombie says:
Friday, May 25, 2012 at 10:13 pm
This really makes me sick, How does a mother not know that her child is being tortured with skin missing from feet. Sick bastard!!!
—————–Not only that but palm sized pieces of skin missing on her rear end. There is no way this mother didn’t know what was going on. This is just disgusting. I can’t believe some of the human beings on this planet.
and to any of you sticking up for the mother of this beautiful angel you ought to be ashamed of yourselves it is her job as a mother to make sure nothing happens to her children but for whatever reason she was obviously absent at home and left her with that sick individual! i just cant get around the fact that she knew nothing no signs of abuse or anything! how is that possible? she was probably out tweaking somewhere with all the rest of centralia!
to mind blowing!: how about you look closer and youll see that the OTHER hand is down her pants plain as day! does anyone else see this?!
Look closer if you will. Her hand is NOT in her pants. You can see her fingers.
your right its nt disturbing…but its not THAT normal i have 2 girls and a boy and have told them its not ok to have their hands down their pants…and anyways who keeps or takes a picture of their child with their hands down their pants on the private area! yeah she is an adorable kid but considering the circumstances and how she passed away it doesnt look right im sorry and to the girls mother! SHAME ON YOU! how could u have possibly not known your child was in harms way!? wtf!….aahhhhhhhhhhhhhh i am so disgusted with the mother she should have never left her child with a new bf or any man! especially a girl, !
@me…..Kids have their hands down their pants all the time! Very normal…they often use their pants as “pockets”, or just put their hands there because they can. They usually have elastic so it’s easy. I am sure this pic means absolutely nothing, it just shows an adorable little girl…being a little kid.
Not a thing disturbing about it.
Does anyone else see something kinda disturbing about this picture!? she has her hand down the front of her pants…maybe they should look more into this case and check his computer hard drive???….i cant beleive someone would even post that pictre how sad very sad!!
So sad and sickening! Also, eerily similar to this 2009 occurrence of severe abuse+ in NC. I wonder if he got the idea from him – and the SAD fact that the guy was not given the death penalty: http://www.wral.com/news/local/story/6383754/
This blog is completely irresponsible by showing a pic of the victim. It will surely taint the jury pool. The chronicles headline that stated the autopsy showed the suspect was lying was just as foolish! Thank you for giving the defense a case for change of venue! This case will likely break the county. Also, as heinous as this obvious capitol murder case is, you will never see this county seek the death penalty for one reason! No money! My guess is Meyer will go for life, but don’t be surprised if a sentence of 50 years or less is handed down in the end.
I do admonish this blog and the Chronicle for reckless sensationalism. But wtf right….whatever sells
actually it says they were not noted in April. Didn’t actually say they were not founded.Big difference in a case such as this.
Either way this is both the perps fault and the mothers fault.In no way shape or form could that mother not have a clue that this man had been abusing her child for 10 weeks.And if someone ever said we can split the parenting duties but you take the oldest that talks and I take the youngest that cant talk I would tell him to go to H E double toothpicks. That in its own would raise suspition after only 10 weeks.I still say mom failed to protect her children.
Agreed Mind Blowing, Gen Pop is where this scum needs to be.
This info is on James Maurice Reeder. PROVIDING this is truly the same man in this article, there is lots to ponder.
This man was the respondent in a custody case that began 2008 or 2009.
If he has lived with the mom for 10 weeks, that would put his move in time around March 29, 2012. I think anyhow.
The last date of the custody case, where he was denied, was Feb.16,2012.
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So he moved in with the mom of this poor little harmless child approximately 16 days after he lost his case while trying to gain temp. custody of his children
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I definately could be wrong.
Just go to court records and check James Maurice Reeder. Then check J. Reeder, it comes up with a juvenile case on him. AlsoKatie Reeder, Victoria and Calvin Johnson.
I think this guy has some prior bullshit that may point a finger right at him.
And that no good mother should be charged with the same charges as him. She had to know about what was going on, only a vegetable wouldnt see it.
And Emothug, dont believe everything ya see, you know that!
Not all the government offices tell all the truth all the time. They may fib to cover their ass from time to time.
Bratty, article said child was fine in April. Gives indication of when this occurred.
I would also be looking at the mother.I mean come on he has only been there 10 weeks and she is already leaving her children alone with this man??? That’s a big question in its own.Where was her head? Those suggestions he made would have put me in a world win of thought as to why he would want to be alone with my children so soon into the relationship.Come on people he was not allowed alone with those children with out the mothers consent.I believe she too should be charged with failure to protect and conspiracy.He surely didn’t do this all on his own.She had to have been aware of all the injuries on her 2 year old especially if they were that visible.And why didn’t the doc report the abuse when it was founded in April???? Something smells a bit rotten in Denmark (So to speak).Come on Lewis County Get your heads on straight.
If you have kids give them an extra hug everyday take up for the suffering this child endured during her last hellish weeks on earth. Hold them close and cherish them. Nothing will bring Kora back, but we can remember what happened and pray this never happens again. There is a special place in hell for scum like Reefer!
This really makes me sick, How does a mother not know that her child is being tortured with skin missing from feet. Sick bastard!!!
holy shit balls !!!! I have so many words but none of them nice… I will ask for forgiveness for even thinking what I am thinking !@!! put him in a cell with long sheets so he can just suicide his way out would ya !!! wtf is wrong with people !!! a single bullet to the forehead is too good for him ~!!! but necessary I believe..If found guilty.. I would donate the bullet…
I know that guy he was an old family friend its sad he would something like that.
This story makes me sick to my stomach. That poor little angel. If this man did this I hope justice is swift and he goes into general population!!!!