Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
- A couple faces child abuse homicide charges in the malnutrition-related death of their 9-month-old son.
- The infant found emaciated in Emery County in May 2023, and died despite life-saving efforts.
- A medical examiner determined malnutrition, dehydration, and sepsis as causes of death.
FERRON, Emery County — A couple whose infant son died a year ago of malnutrition and sepsis is now facing criminal charges.
Timothy James Soots, 38, and Jesica Lynn Stoops, 35, whose hometown is now listed as Winnsboro, Texas, were each charged Friday in 7th District Court with child abuse homicide, a first-degree felony.
On May 4, 2023, Emery County sheriff's deputies responded to a home in Ferron on a report that a 9-month-old boy was not breathing or alert. The child died despite life-saving efforts.
When questioned, Stoops said her child had "last been seen by a medical doctor on Jan. 1 when she went to Castleview Hospital. She stated that the baby was underweight and no one could figure out why. She stated that she had been in contact with a naturalist doctor … in Uintah County," according to charging documents.
Deputies who responded to the call noticed "several mattresses on the floor with blankets like someone was using the living room as a bedroom. I noticed there were copious amounts of essential-type oils all over the living room," according to charging documents. "While doing compressions I noticed that the baby was very small for being as old as he was. He looked like he was emaciated and about the same size as a newborn. His arms and legs were very small and his skin was loose. I could see the outline of most of his ribs. I noticed a lot of red or brown colored spots or sores all over his head."
Another deputy also observed "his backbone and ribs showed through his skin" and noted that "it was reported that a 9-month-old baby was having a reaction to some cream," the charges state.
According to the Utah State Medical Examiner's Office, the boy "showed malnutrition, dehydration and sepsis resulting in the baby's death," according to the charges.
