Washington Babysitter Said Toddler 'Fell' Down The Stairs. Now, He Has Been Charged With His Murder: Police

What at first seemed to be a deadly fall by a toddler in Washington is now a murder case, with a live-in babysitter accused, officials said.

Eric Boudreau, 32, is charged with second-degree murder, four months after a 13-month-old boy died. The child's name has not been released.

Au autopsy conducted in Seattle determined the boy died from blunt force injuries to the head on Friday, November 11, 2022. Authorities were called to a home where the toddler reportedly fell while Boudreau was sleeping.

However, Boudreau was not arrested until last week. That was in part because a death certificate declaring the case a homicide was not issued until late February, and because prosecutors wanted to question the examination staff.

A Thurston County prosecutor said the boy received a skull fracture, along with numerous bruises and lacerations.

“These are not injuries that could have been sustained by falling down carpeted stairs,” Cailen Cecil told a judge at a preliminary hearing Friday.

Boudreau lived at the Lacey home with the toddler, the toddler's parents and another woman with two children.

Boudreau told authorities he performed with a band at a club the night before the child died. The Olympian reports he admitted drinking five beers and smoking marijuana.

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The toddler's father told authorities he heard Boudreau tell the boy “shut up” in a harsh voice. But the father went on to work, to avoid being fired.

It turned out the father was fired after checking on his son at a hospital.

Judge Sharonda Amamilo ordered Boudreau held without bond. He has no criminal history.