TIGARD, OR (KPTV) -
Police said a 4-year-old boy was beaten to death at the hands of his mother and her boyfriend.
Police said the family of six was homeless and taking temporary refuge at the Good Neighbor Center in Tigard, when employees there noticed the boy's injuries and called for help.
"This is horrifying, we are in the business for caring for people, giving a hand up, nothing like this, of course, ever happens," said Good Neighbor Center Director Jack Schwab.
"It's devastating, we are reeling from the idea that there's a death of a child anytime, anyway, any manner," he said.
On Tuesday, Aug. 14, Tigard police were notified by staff at a local hospital that the boy was being treated for internal injuries. Doctors were suspicious of the child's injuries, which were determined to be life-threatening. The boy succumbed to his injuries several days later.
The investigation led by Tigard police detectives ultimately revealed a history of physical abuse by the child's mother and her live-in boyfriend.
The Good Neighbor Center is a place where homeless families can take refuge for six weeks while they get back on their feet financially.
The family, which includes three additional children, had all been residing at the shelter for the past three weeks. The family was about to transition from the center into newly acquired housing, according to police.
An autopsy conducted by the state medical examiner's office determined the child died due to complications resulting from blunt force abdominal trauma.
Currently, both the mother of the child and her boyfriend are in the custody of the Washington County Jail, under suspicion of being responsible for the injuries sustained by the child.
Brian Canady is charged with three counts of murder, assault and criminal mistreatment.
The child's mother, Jessica Dutro-Boggess, is charged with manslaughter one and criminal mistreatment.
The victim's three siblings are presently under the care of the Oregon Department of Human Services.
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