Days after eight-month-old Billy Hendrickson died in a room where the temperature was measured at 109 degrees and his father arrested, the boy's grandparents shared their anger and grief over how they believe the tragedy could have been avoided.
- Grandparents angry with agencies involved
- "Miscommunication" may have cost boy's life
- Want to help? Visit www.gofundme.com/baby-billy-and-solara
Catherine Rutenbeck wiped away tears, as she talked about her grandson.
"All he did was smile. He was just a happy baby,” Rutenbeck said.
Rutenbeck said she was devastated to learn the baby died while in the care of his father, 26-year-old William Hendrickson. According to Largo Police, the baby was found unresponsive last Thursday in a room inside the mobile home Hendrickson shared with his parents and girlfriend.
Hendrickson was reportedly warned by a caseworker the day before not to leave the children inside of that room. According to police, however, Hendrickson locked himself, the baby and his 2-year-old daughter Solara in the room after an argument with his mother.
Hendrickson has been charged with aggravated manslaughter and child neglect.
“There's a special place in hell for him,” said Jose Perez, Rutenbeck’s fiancé.
But Rutenbeck and Perez are also angry with the agencies they said were supposed to help the children. She said she also spoke with the caseworker the day before Billy died and offered to take both children in.
The caseworker told her she had to check with her supervisor.
"The next day, I had to start calling again, going, 'Did somebody check on the kids?' And she goes ‘What do you mean, aren't they with you?’ And I said 'no,'” said Rutenbeck. “And she said ‘Well, Will told us he was going to bring them and drop them off.’ I said, 'Did anybody check?' Nobody checked."
DCF, contractors involved
We checked with the Florida Department of Children and Families to find out more about the situation involving the caseworker Rutenbeck said she spoke with.
“At the time of the incident, the family was receiving services by a provider contracted by Eckerd Kids as a result of an investigation earlier this year,” said DCF spokesperson Jessica Sims.
Calling Eckerd Kids led to us being pointed in another direction.
“You should direct that question to Directions for Living,” said spokesperson Eliott Wiser. “The caseworker is their employee.”
Once we contacted that agency, we received the following statement from Douglas Brunn, director of quality management:
"We are devastated to learn of the tragic death of an 8 month-old baby. We, along with our lead agency Eckerd Kids, are committed to working closely with authorities as they proceed in this case. As the investigation is ongoing, we are unable to comment further at this time.”
Rutenbeck now has temporary custody of Billy's sister, 2-year-old Solara, who suffered severe dehydration during the ordeal.
"She's such a smart little girl,” Rutenbeck said. “When she sees me get upset, she'll come pat me and say ‘Nana, it's OK.’"
Rutenbeck said she is dreading the day she will have to explain to the little girl that her baby brother is never coming home.
The family has started a GoFundMe page to help raise money for Solara’s care.
To help the family with a donation, visit https://www.gofundme.com/baby-billy-and-solara.
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