Casey Henderling and Nikki Warner quickly leave the courtroom after talking with the judge about the cremation of their dead toddler.
By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter
CHEHALIS – It took less than 10 minutes for a judge to help the parents of a toddler whose body has been stored at the county morgue for months to come to agreement today about which funeral home can be called to handle his cremation.
Three-year-old Jasper Henderling-Warner died Oct. 5 from what the coroner calls battered child syndrome and is the victim in an ongoing criminal case involving a couple who had taken him into their Vader home.
Jasper Henderling-Warner
Jasper’s unmarried parents initially agreed to have the child cremated at Steele Chapel in Longview, and the services have been paid for, according to Lewis County Civil Attorney David Fine. But the mother Nikki Warner changed her mind and told the coroner she wanted him taken care of by a funeral home in Battleground where she would hold the memorial service.
At the end of January, Lewis County Coroner Warren McLeod was notified he no longer had to hold Jasper for a possible second autopsy for the criminal case. Two weeks later, after failing to get the parents to agree on the same mortuary, McLeod filed a request in Lewis County Superior Court, asking for a judge to intervene.
Warner and Casey Henderling sat next to each other this afternoon, in front of Judge James Lawler.
Warner told the judge what she wanted, and told him she had custodial rights before her son’s death.
“As I understand it, we’re not talking about the memorial service here, only the cremation,” Lawler said.
“You still agree the ashes are to be divided between you, right?” the judge asked.
Both answered affirmatively.
Lawler told the two parents he was only trying to understand what difference it makes where the cremation takes place.
“I’m not trying to twist your arm,” he said. “Just trying to understand. Make sure you understand.”
Warner agreed they could use the funeral home in Longview.
Coroner McLeod indicated he would phone Steele Chapel within the next 10 minutes and arrange for the child’s body to be picked up.
The Vader couple accused in the death both remain held in the Lewis County Jail.
Danny A. Wing, 26, has pleaded guilty to first-degree manslaughter. His wife Brenda Wing, 27, awaits trial. She is charged with homicide by abuse or, in the alternative, first-degree manslaughter, as either the principal or accomplice.
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For background, read “Toddler’s body still at morgue more than five months after death” from Wednesday March 18, 2015, here
Tags: By Sharyn L. Decker, news reporter
VERY WELL SAID!!
I know a few that if they see these two worthless oxygen thieves they will feel the same pain Jasper felt.
You cannot hide forever, Karma always finds you.
For the upstanding community members defending the piss poor excuse for parents of this little boy, listen up. First off these “parents” not only failed this child, they “didn’t see” any abuse to their child in almost a years time. During this extended period of time this little boy sustained a multitude of hainous injuries. To move on from that, please remember that these “parents” had the sole responsibility to ensure the safety Of this HELPLESS 3 YEAR OLD! To even sit on here and defend these two pitiful excuses for parents makes me fear for your children, should you have any! For the poor souls who are donating to these individuals, I am sure the funeral expenses have been covered for some time. Take your money and donate it to people who really need this money. I don’t care if your personal friends, family or just believers in these poor excuse for parents………a beautiful, INNOCENT, HELPLESS AND DEFENSELESS little boy deserves justice and that means that these two leeches on life pay for his death as well!
I agree that the mother should have to account for the money raised on the go fund my account. The cremation at the funeral home in Long view is already paid for. Is this not a case of fraud if you ask for money for a funeral and you raise more than the cost of the funeral? The remainder should have to be donated to a worthy cause….and I don’t mean mainlining junk into your arm.
I agree Guilty Bystander.
I cannot believe that they have not been charged for child endangerment at the least. The audacity that the “mother” had to collect money from a “Gofundme” account is appalling. I could imagine that they are both playing the “my child was murdered” card when they were the reason he died!
Agreed, XDs, Bobby’s idea has merit. Unfortunately, those who most need to get that message are the least likely to listen to it. The two who created Jasper (someone else can call them “parents”) were probably aware that child abuse is bad…they just didn’t care enough, if at all.
Bobby, I think that is a great idea.
Maybe Jasper can become a leader for raising awareness of child abuse. I am not sure what can be done.
As I understand it, there are no statute of limitations in Washington state law regarding violent crime against children.
Of all the crimes committed this one hits the hardest. That little boy was so full of life even though those four “Adults” did nothing to protect his life and everything that ended it.
Jasper, if you can see this I hope you are enjoying your ultimate freedom and I wish something could have been done to prevent this. Rest is peace lil man.
Jasper can finally be released for final resting. I know his soul has been in Heaven since the day he died but now the earthly remains can be laid to rest.
Very well said Bill & House dragon.
Anyone defending these two child killers need to be hit in the head with the same hammer someone needs to use on these “parents”.
The facts are these scumballs left their innocent child with some very evil people where he was tortured and murdered.
I don’t see how anyone could ever have a moment of happiness again in this life after doing something that heinous. They don’t need jail. They need to live their miserable lives seeing Jasper’s face every day.
I do believe that the so called Mother Nikki Warner is a poor excuse of a Mother and she should be sitting in jail with the Wings. Jasper has a better chance of life if she would have dropped that baby off on the side of I-5.. How anyone can stand up for this person whom they call the Mother, is off the rocker also… Rest in Peace Jasper…. The only blessing is that Jasper is in a better place and away from pure evil….
I’m sure that Bill and XDs knows ALL of the facts. Or are you just jumping to conclusion about what happened. Can I read the investigation report that you guys filed? Because your convicting them based on what YOU THINK happened? Because if you have any information that the Mother and Father of Jasper are guilty then you should call the LCPO office right now! Stop hiding the evidence of wrong doing that your basing your judgement off of. Is it possible that the Mother and Father of Jasper are in fact victims of the Wings as well? *gasp* that would mean that the Prosecutor would not charge the Mom and Dad of Jasper with anything!.. Wait OMG he didn’t charge either of them!.. holy cow a cover-up!.. please..
Well said Bill.
I’ve got zero use for people who don’t take care of their kids. Now they are all concerned about Jasper’s body but only cared about their drug using selves when he was alive and left him with a couple of low lifers.
There is a hell on this earth you scum and you will come to feel the fire if you ever get one little bit of conscience.
Judge Lawler should have taken both “parents” into custody for child endangerment charges at the minimum.
Rest In Peace Jasper, you are loved by many and thought of daily.