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
Tags: By Sharyn L. Decker, news reporter
Isn’t there something EFFECTUAL we can do to prevent this from happening to one more Lewis Co. child? It seems to be cycular; in all possibility Jasper, had he survived, would have grown into an abuser himself. How do we stop this evil from perpetuating itself in our civilized, Christian, traditional-values county? Can we just go on with business as usual when this just occurred and is likely happening in some other household at this hour? Shouldn’t all business, govt, religious, and social activities stop for a day or a week or a month to grieve this child and institute whatever changes are needed to stop it happening again? Remembering that of course the mother– and whoever that poor little boy’s father was– are also directly responsible for abandoning their child to wolves. I’m being overly dramatic but serious: couldn’t we have a level, reasonable discussion here of what, if anything, can be done to reduce the frequency of child abuse in this society of 60,000 souls?
Valerie: they have been arrested for homicide by abuse…not just abuse.
Law enforcement did not drag their feet. The results of the autopsy had to come back before they could make an arrest. You don’ t want to arrest for homicide and have the autopsy results come back as natural.
There is also an investigation to complete where everyone seems to be lying and pointing fingers at everyone else.
Unlike TV criminal investigations are conducted out of the public eye with all of the information kept under wraps until arrests are made.
It looks like in this case the investigation is complete and thorough combined with the autopsy results.
I want to know,were the couples 3 children taken into CPS custody because of this? Or before this? I feel for the mom but she has to live with the guilt of putting her son in a place that ultimately killed him,, I have a feeling these people had some kind of criminal background, which if they did,and mom knew of it,then she’s just as guilty as them,,,But this Angel is with GOD now and free of any pain and suffering so BOBBY C–i believe and know there is a GOD also,,so this little guy is doing awesome now
Never thought the mother was innocent. I’m a mom. I was for years a single mom. I don’t care how broke I got, homeless, tired, or just fed up. I would NEVER and I mean NEVER leave my kids with ANYONE to raise for me. There are way to many programs, welfare, shelters, and good people that would help you KEEP your kids and get back on your feet. This “mom” gambled with her son’s life. She has to live with that. This angel deserved to be protected by the one person that should have ALWAYS done just that!!!!! There should be laws about who you can leave your kids with. You should not be able to just dump them off with everyone and their brother!!! This whole story is a repeat of more then three that I have read on here about babies being abused to death. Last was a Mom that left her poor baby with a monster she knew only months. Common sense is a rare thing these days……………….
This tragedy is so hard to swallow but even more when I hear people voice sympathy and defend his mother… First off you all who think they know her needs to step back and check out actions and facts. I’m not judging her thank God He has that job but after you read this you will perhaps realize there is someone else ultimately responsible for his abusive death.Bird of a feather flock together … this saying is tried and true that most people use this fact daily in decisions making that said if she felt she could care for him due to her own issues why did she leave him with “family member” who are know for having drug related proplems as well as a traumatic upbringing. Why not with the ones who saved her from the hell she was living and chose to adopt her and give her a chance to have a positive life. Who stood by her when her actions dramaticlly changed many family members lives and everyone else saw her as a bad seed. No she chose the ones who are as messed up as her. And its not like it was a weekend but months.. chronic abusive syndrome was the official cause of death. Chronic that’s longer then a couple months and let’s face it he was ONLY THREE! Nobody who claims they love someone with all their hearts ever drops of that somebody for three months with known drug dealers…. unless??? All I’m saying don’t be so quick to defend her or sympathize….she has gotten away with playing victim for to long. This time her actions and decision ultimately caused the death of her precious son. I pray she never has any more children and that the last kiss smile and vocalized I love you he spoke haunts her till the day she meets her maker and her sons maker. Vengeance is mine says the Lord
Valerie Gardner says:
“Friday, November 7, 2014 at 9:36 pm
Thank god they finally arrested these people!! I’ve never seen.law enforcement drag their feet so.slowly especially over a child’s death!…”
Too much TV. In the real world it takes longer than one episode to do things right.
Looks to me like the arrest was made pretty dang quickly once the official medical reports were made. I for one am very grateful that a thorough investigation was conducted before the arrest.
Take all the time needed to do this 100% right.
Thank god they finally arrested these people!! I’ve never seen.law enforcement drag their feet so.slowly especially over a child’s death! RIP little Jasper!!
Here we go again. I agree BobbyinLC Lets hope you’re right. May their reception be very warm. Lets not forget the mothers of these children who should have been their first defense. These are the real monsters. We should figure out what makes these creatures? More importantly we make sure they are not able to reproduce. I could say I am sorry for the First Testament vibes here folks , but I am a Grandma of about 6. I think three year olds are about my favorite thing in this world, right up there next to 5 or 3 or 13 year olds etc. This child was some ones Grandbaby. I can barely stand to read about this. I can barely imagine their terrible pain. These children have fallen through the cracks because someone was not paying attention. I weep for each of’ them , then I rage with vengence against the monsters who hurt them.
Just reading this story makes me nauseous.
So many children in life born to people who have no business with a pet, let alone a child.
One more question … Why did they.only arrest them.for abuse when in fact they murdered him??!!! Answers Please !!!!!!!!!
Thank God !! Only he knows Jasper deserves justice!! His mom has suffered ENOUGH !! She also deserved that justice for her child! She had nothing but love in her heart for him and would do anything in the world to love and protect him which is why he was in that home,There are many people who live in a secretive ,dark world ! People like these who hif it well . RIP little Jasper!! Mama – Justice will be served !! I love you baby girl and Jasper is in our soul forever ❤
This is actually a reprint of too many cases that have happened in Lewis County. I have to believe that this little guy is in Heaven playing with the little two year old girl that was murdered in 2012.
I know some here say there is no God or heaven but that is how I can cope with such tragedy.
Now for the suspects, once they are convicted they need a penalty worse than what they did to the child. Just being convicted of homicide by abuse will ensure a warm reception in prison. Even the most hardened inmates see people who victimize children as the lowest form or scum.
this is sick,no child should suffer like this never.i sure hope lewis county is tougher than pacific county.because you can leave your kids alone with a firearm and if one lands in a wheelchair for LIFE, no big deal.
Rest in peace sweet little angel…
I thought I was reading a re print of a news story in Grangeville , Idaho. A little boy about the same age of this one , was beaten to death by the little boys mothers live in boy friend. The boy friend is currently serving life in prison with no chance of parole. We can only hope the Washington state has the same tough sentence.