A 911 call made the day before an 8-month-old Largo baby died, reveals the boy’s father may have threatened to kill his own mother.

  • Police called to Hendrickson home one day before baby's death
  • Children appeared in good health during contact on July 26
  • With no crime committed, officers cleared the scene

60-year-old Carrie Hendrickson made the call on July 26 at 11:43 a.m. from inside the mobile home she shared with her husband, her son, the son’s girlfriend and their two young children.

Hendrickson told the 911 operator that her son, 26-year-old William Hendrickson, was locking himself inside a hot room with 8-month-old Billy and 2-year-old Solara.

Caller: “The kids are in the room with him. He told me he’s going to kill me. He’s already been hospitalized for bipolarism. He needs help. You need to come and get him. I’m scared for my grandkids.”

The elder Hendrickson described to the operator what she was hearing through the door.

Caller: “My grandbabies are screaming.”
Operator: “Do you think he’s harming them right now or why do you think they’re screaming?”
Caller: “She’s got marks on her. He’s already…that’s why CPS is involved. He already hit her.”

At one point, you can even hear Carrie Hendrickson trying to coax the children over to her. That moment is followed by chaos.

Caller: “Come here, come here, come here quick…He got the baby. He’s got the baby. Please! Would you just get out here?”
Operator: “Ma’am, what’s going on?”
Caller: “He just ripped the baby out of my arms…You’re the devil incarnate! Oh my God!”

The entire call lasted about 11 minutes before Largo police arrived at the home. According to a spokesperson, the officers said the children appeared to be in good health and since no crime had been committed, they cleared the scene.

About 24 hours later, 8-month-old Billy died from extreme heat conditions. Police measured the temperature inside the room where he was being kept at 109 degrees.

2-year-old Solara was treated for severe dehydration and released into the care of other family members.

William Hendrickson was arrested and charged with aggravated manslaughter and child neglect.

The children’s mother, Elizabeth Rutenbeck, was not home at the time of her son’s death. According to police, she is behind bars on a battery charge she received after an argument with Carrie Hendrickson days before the incident.