Homicide

Vermont couple accused of putting alcohol in disabled boy's IV, contributing to his death

Associated Press
Published | Updated

CORRECTS SPELLING OF NAME TO RICHTERS NOT RICHTER This photo provided by Vermont State Police shows Melissa Robitille. Vermont State Police say Robitille and her boyfriend, Walter Richters III put alcohol in her disabled son's IV tube, killing the 13-year-old boy. They were charged Tuesday, Oct. 7, 2014 with murder. (AP Photo/Vermont State Police) (The Associated Press)

CORRECTS SPELLING OF NAME TO RICHTERS NOT RICHTER This photo provided by Vermont State Police shows Walter Richters III. Vermont State Police say Richter III and his girlfriend, Melissa Robitille, put alcohol in her disabled son's IV tube, killing the 13-year-old boy. They were charged Tuesday, Oct. 7, 2014 with murder. (AP Photo/Vermont State Police) (The Associated Press)

A woman and her boyfriend are facing murder charges in court because police say they put alcohol in her disabled 13-year-old son's IV tube, contributing to his death.

Melissa Robitille and Walter Richter III were charged Tuesday with second-degree murder in the August death of Isaac Robitille. They faced arraignment Wednesday afternoon in Caledonia.

Police say Isaac was born with significant medical conditions and disabilities that required the assistance of caretakers, feeding tubes and intravenous tubes.

The couple, both 38, were charged with using the IV tube to administer alcohol to the boy, leading to his death. An autopsy found his blood-alcohol content was about twice the legal limit for adult drivers.

Isaac's health conditions included a brain abnormality listed as the cause of death with the alcohol listed as a contributing factor.