EVERETT — A baby girl who died last month with multiple fractures succumbed to a combination of illnesses and injuries, and her death has been officially determined to be a homicide, the Snohomish County Medical Examiner said Thursday.
Madilynn M. Schreib died Dec. 20 at a Seattle hospital, two days after Everett paramedics were called to a motel room where she was reported unresponsive.
An autopsy determined the 3-month-old’s death was the result of “pneumonia, sepsis and meningitis with non-accidental trauma and history of the presence of methamphetamine,” the medical examiner reported.
The decision to rule Madilynn’s death a homicide means investigators have determined there is evidence somebody was responsible — that the death was not natural or accidental.
The girl’s mother and the mother’s boyfriend were arrested Jan. 1 and are now charged with felony mistreatment of a child.
Everett police say other charges are possible.
Detectives declined to share an update on Thursday. They are working the case, including additional search warrants, Lt. Ryan Dalberg said.
“There’s not going to be a lot released while the investigation is ongoing,” he said. “The suspects are in custody. We have a lot of follow-up to do.”
Jerrica Schreib, 19, and her boyfriend, Donald Coons, 42, on Thursday remained behind bars on $500,000 bail each. Coons also is awaiting trial on a meth possession charge from June.
Madilynn reportedly had a broken arm and rib fractures. Hospital staff told investigators that not seeking medical attention for the baby’s broken bones exposed the child to suffering they likened to torture. Tests also demonstrated the girl had been exposed to methamphetamine.
Child Protective Services has placed Coons’ three daughters in protective custody. The Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office also is investigating allegations the girls were assaulted in its jurisdiction.
CPS had no history of contacts with the baby, spokeswoman Norah West said.
Because of that, CPS is not required by state law to conduct a review of the death to look for any issues with social work provided. However, the agency is investigating the abuse allegations, she said.
West said she could not discuss Schreib’s older daughter, who is 3. That girl was not believed to be living with Schreib or Coons at the time the baby was taken to the hospital.
Reporter Eric Stevick contributed to this story.
Rikki King: 425-339-3449; rking@heraldnet.com.
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