Homicide

Parents charged with homicide in death of son, 9, found decomposing in Pennsylvania home

Associated Press
Published | Updated

FILE - This undated file photo provided by the Harrisburg Police Jarrod Tutko is shown. Tutko was charged on Monday, Sept. 29, 2014 with homicide in the death of his 9-year-old son, whose decomposing body was found in his Harrisburg home. (AP Photo/Harrisburg Police, File) (The Associated Press)

FILE - This undated file photo provided by the Harrisburg Police Jarrod Tutko is shown. Tutko was charged on Monday, Sept. 29, 2014 with homicide in the death of his 9-year-old son, whose decomposing body was found in his Harrisburg home. (AP Photo/Harrisburg Police, File) (The Associated Press)

A central Pennsylvania man and woman have been charged with homicide in the death of their 9-year-old son, whose decomposing body was found in their Harrisburg home last summer.

Dauphin County District Attorney Ed Marsico said Monday that Jarrod Tutko Jr. was in what he called "horrible condition" at the time of his death in July.

An autopsy concluded that the child, who had a genetic disorder with autism-like symptoms, weighed less than 17 pounds and died of malnutrition and neglect.

Thirty-nine-year-old Kimberly Tutko was arrested Monday and charged with criminal homicide and child endangerment.

Thirty-eight-year-old Jarrod Tutko Sr., charged earlier with child endangerment and abuse of a corpse, is now also charged with homicide.

Authorities allege that they failed to provide "even the most basic needs" of the child.