Authorities have found the cause of death in the case of a missing 6-year-old autistic boy, whose body was found in a dumpster this week.
The suspect, the boy’s 19-year-old uncle allegedly drowned the child in a bathtub on Monday, Oct. 16, and then dumped his body in a nearby dumpster at a Seattle-area apartment complex, Fox News reported.
Andrew Clayton Henckel was visiting from Kerrville, Texas, and was babysitting Dayvid Pakko on Monday, according to court documents as reported by Fox News. The child was reported missing that same day.
Henckel, a 6-foot-4-inch, and 180-pound man grabbed the 48-pound boy and plunged him face-first into the tub, drowning him, court documents said, reported Fox News.
The child’s body was found the day after he was first reported missing. It was found in Lynnwood, a northern Seattle suburb at the 15700 block of 44th Avenue West, around 2 a.m. Tuesday.
Authorities have not yet specified a motive behind the murder.
The body of missing 6 year-old boy located this morning, victim of homicide. A 19 YO male relative is in custody. https://t.co/zIyZ7wW422
— Snohomish Sheriff (@SnoCoSheriff) October 17, 2017
Henckel is being held on a $1 million bail at the Snohomish County Jail for first-degree murder domestic violence, according to The Seattle Times.
At Henckel’s first court appearance on Wednesday, Rachel Forde, a Snohomish County public defender said he was on the autism spectrum, Fox News reported.
Forde made the point that individuals with his disability are vulnerable to suggestion and authority figures, and told the judge not to hold Henckel based only on his statements to police.
Henckel’s family has retained a private attorney, Forde said.
MISSING: David Pakko, 6 years old from 15700 44th Ave W (Lynn). Last seen around 2:30 PM wearing green camouflage PJs pic.twitter.com/n8Q12KvhH8
— Snohomish Sheriff (@SnoCoSheriff) October 17, 2017
According to documents, Henckel first came under scrutiny based on his actions after the boy’s body was found. Henckel left the area, rather than showing interest in the sudden activity, the Seattle Times reported.
“It appeared that police interest in the dumpster was quite obvious, yet Andrew walked away at that precise moment in time,” the document stated.
Henckel’s father, Randy told reporters that Henckel was interrogated by police for hours without a parent or attorney present, despite having obvious developmental disabilities.
Henckel said his son met Dayvid for the first time during his visit, The Seattle Times reported. He said he does not believe his son is capable of murder.
