Two arrested for child death in Vader

A local couple has been arrested for homicide in relation to the death of a 3-year-old boy in Vader occurring last month, according to the Lewis County Sheriff's Office.

Brenda Wing, 27, and Danny Wing, 26, were arrested Friday as the result of an ongoing investigation into the death of the victim, who has been identified as Jasper Henderling-Warner, on the evening of Oct. 5 in the 400 block of Main St., in Vader.

At that time, paramedics and EMTs were responding to a 911 call from Brenda Wing, who described Henderling-Warner as unconscious and not breathing, with the victim later being pronounced dead after transportation to Providence Centralia Hospital.

In a news release issued Friday by the Sheriff's Office, the child's condition upon reaching the hospital was described as having "severe and obvious bruises and injuries to his entire body," with Lewis County Coroner Warren McLeod stating the cause of death had been "Chronic Battered Child Syndrome."

During investigation of the incident, it was learned Henderling-Warner had been entrusted to the Wings' care by his mother, described as a Vancouver resident, for a matter of months prior to his death, though her relationship to the suspects has not been detailed by authorities. It also remains unclear if she will be facing charges as well as a result of leaving her child with the Wings, though investigations into such matters have been described as intensive and ongoing.

When interviewing the Wings about the death of Henderling-Warner, investigators said their explanations of the incident were not consistent with the injuries left on the child's body, while they also made statements contradicting one another. Based on these inconsistencies and the nature of the child's death, both were taken into custody.

When placed under arrest, it was reported the Wings were at the Lewis County Child Protective Services Office, in Centralia. Their three children, reported to be between the ages of infancy and six years, were subsequently taken into custody by the office.

As of press time, the Wings were scheduled for a preliminary court appearance on Monday afternoon, with bail and an arraignment date to be set at that time. They are facing charges of homicide by abuse, a class-A felony, punishable by up to life in prison.

The release from the Sheriff's Office also noted investigators are continuing to seek information regarding the case, and those who wish to come forward are encouraged to speak with Detective Kevin Engelbertson at (360) 748-9286, or may call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-748-6422 to leave an anonymous tip for possible cash reward.