Malnourished child investigation nears end
Herald Staff Writer | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 13 years, 1 month AGO
MOSES LAKE - A 2-year-old malnourished Moses Lake boy remains on life-support as detectives work to finish their investigation, a Grant County Sheriff's Office spokesperson said Wednesday.
"The child's condition remains unchanged," said Kyle Foreman.
He added detectives have spent a majority of the investigation reviewing medical records, which has required a lot of time, although they are getting close to completing the inquiry. Once the inquiry is complete, investigators will compile their findings in a report to the Grant County prosecutor for a decision on criminal charges, he said.
On May 9, deputies and paramedics were called to a home on Shorecrest Drive Northeast where, according to a warrant, they found the boy's mother, Michelle K. J. Staats, 32, on the floor in the process of administering CPR to the boy.
The child reportedly exhibited signs of extreme malnourishment, including no muscle tone, no hair, a core temperature of 89 degrees, blood loss from the rectum and, initially, no heartbeat.
He was revived by paramedics and transported to Samaritan Hospital in Moses Lake where, according to the warrant, emergency room medical staff said he was "not likely to survive."
The boy was airlifted to Providence-Sacred Heart Medical Center in Spokane, where he remains in critical condition today.
The boy was living at the Cascade Valley home with his reported parents - Michelle and Robert Staats - along with four siblings. The 14-year-old boy and three girls ages 10, 7 and 4, are still in the custody of Child Protective Services, according to Foreman.
Foreman could not say exactly when the investigation is expected to conclude, explaining that it takes time to apply for search warrants, gather documents and review all the evidence.
MORE IMPORTED STORIES

Abuse suspected cause of boy, 2, on life support
Columbia Basin Herald | Updated 13 years, 2 months ago

Abuse suspected in case of 2-year-old on life support
Columbia Basin Herald | Updated 13 years, 2 months ago
ARTICLES BY HERALD STAFF WRITER

Staatses plead not guilty
EPHRATA - The Moses Lake couple, accused of refusing to take their child to a hospital as the boy was starving, pleaded not guilty Tuesday.

Central Wash. Home Expo this weekend
MOSES LAKE - Basin residents wanting to build a new home, or renovate an existing one, can turn to next weekend's Central Washington Home Expo for inspiration.

Nurse practitioner program begins in Othello
Application deadline is May 15
OTHELLO - The Columbia Basin Health Association will start a training program for nurse practitioners, beginning in September. The program's application deadline is May 15.