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VANCOUVER, Wash. (AP) – The foster parents of a 15-year-old boy from Vancouver, Wash. Who died of starvation in November have had their bail set at $ 1 million each in a court appearance in the county by Clark.
Felicia L. Adams and Jesse C. Franks appeared in Superior Court on Monday for domestic violence, second degree murder and abusive homicide in the death of Karreon Franks, The Columbian reported.
In response to the charges read, Franks said, “I don’t know why I’m being charged with all of this.”
Senior Deputy Prosecutor James Smith called the allegations “extremely concerning” and said the evidence in the case was overwhelming. Smith said Adams and Franks each face a minimum 20-year prison sentence if found guilty.
The couple were extradited from San Joaquin County, Calif., Where they had been in fugitive custody since June 4 following arrest warrants issued by Clark County.
Vancouver attorney Jeff Sowder, who represents Adams, said on Monday that she and her husband surrendered to police. Sowder said the couple left Vancouver after a reporter walked to their door and neighbors learned of the criminal case, which led to their home being vandalized.
Judge John Fairgrieve appointed attorney David Kurtz, who was not present, to represent Franks.
Adams legally adopted Karreon Franks and her two brothers in 2012. She is their aunt, court records show.
Karreon allegedly suffered from a rare genetic condition that affected his development, had severe autism and was legally blind, court records show.
On November 27, Adams and Franks took Karreon Franks to PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center in Vancouver, where he was pronounced dead 14 minutes later.
The autopsy report found Karreon weighed 61 pounds and had abnormal bone and hair growth, as well as lesions, likely caused by starvation, court records show.
A nurse at the hospital contacted child protection services when the teenager arrived. Her brothers were removed from the couple’s custody.
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