Mother on Trial for Killing 4-Year-Old Son Reportedly Because He Was Gay
A mother in Oregon is on trial for the death of her 4-year-old son, whom the prosecutors say was murdered because his mother thought he was homosexual. Zachary Dutro-Boggess died as a result of injuries sustained during a horrific beating from his mother, Jessica Dutro, and her boyfriend, Brian Canady. Both have been charged in connection with the boy's death.
"He walks and talks like it. Ugh," Dutro wrote in a message to Canady. The message also said she feared that Zacahary was gay and used a slur instead of the term gay or homosexual. She added that Canady would have to "work on" the little boy.
The little boy was brought to a Portland hospital in 2012, where doctors determined that he was dying due to tears in his intestines. Doctors said that the injuries Zachary suffered were similar to that of a child in a car accident. He had bruises to his abdomen, internal injuries, and torn intestines. His parents did not seek medical help for him until two days later.
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Zachary was put on life support but died two days later. Canady agreed to a plea deal in which he pleaded guilty to manslaughter for his part in Zachary's death and to testify against Dutro. She has been charged with murder, murder by abuse, and second-degree assault.
Dutro is also believed to have assaulted her three other children. Her 8-year-old daughter testified against her in court. The young girl said that her mother used to give her and her siblings "lickins" that hurt and left marks when they were bad. She also said that "Jessica and Brian" beat Zachary until he was sick and then did not tell anyone about it. The girl and her two other brothers now live with relatives, which she told the court "is fun," according to Oregon Live.
The family lived in a homeless shelter, and Zachary's death was shocking and devastating to officials, who tried to do their very best to protect their clients.
"I would love to leave you with the impression that we're knights in shining armor, but I just can't give you any of those details because of the ongoing investigation," Jack Schwab, executive director of the Good Neighbor Shelter, told Oregon Live. "But I will say that we are mandatory reporters under Oregon State Law. We are very vigilant about reporting any signs of abuse."
