EVERETT— Prosecutors declined Friday to file criminal charges against a couple in connection with the Dec. 20 death of an infant.
The case remains under investigation.
“No charges today but I expect that at some point that may change depending on what the investigation ultimately reveals,” Snohomish County Prosecuting Attorney Mark Roe said Friday afternoon.
An autopsy showed that 3-month-old Madilynn Schreib died as a result of “pneumonia, sepsis and meningitis with non-accidental trauma and history of the presence of methamphetamine,” the medical examiner reported.
He classified the death a homicide.
Everett police arrested the infant’s mother and the mother’s boyfriend Jan. 1. They were charged earlier this month in Everett District Court with criminal mistreatment.
Prosecutors had until Friday afternoon to refile charges into Snohomish County Superior Court. That deadline passed without action.
“Our prosecutors are still working closely with Everett police detectives,” Roe said.
Jerrica Schreib, 19, was released from jail Friday evening. Donald Coons, 42, was being held on a pending drug case.
Madilynn’s injuries came to the attention of authorities Dec. 18. Schreib called 911, reporting that her baby was possibly having an allergic reaction to gripe water.
She and Coons were staying at the motel with the infant and Coon’s three daughters, ages 11, 13, and 14.
At the hospital doctors discovered that Madilynn had multiple broken bones, a gash on her chin and a black eye. She also tested positive for methamphetamine.
Hospital staff said not seeking medical attention for the baby’s broken bones exposed her to suffering they likened to torture.
Meningitis is an inflammation of the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord. Early symptoms may mimic the flu.
Diana Hefley: 425-339-3463; hefley@heraldnet.com. Twitter: @dianahefley.
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