Murder charges filed against drowning victim’s father

More than a year after 5-year-old Drew Wilson drowned in a bathtub in what was first described as an accident, Darrell L. Wilson, 28, now faces charges of first degree murder and is being held without the possibility of bail at Ray County Security Housing.

A public document revealing probable cause for the Class A felony charge is recorded in the Daviess County Associate Circuit Court. The document, offered under oath and under penalties of perjury by an investigator with the Missouri State Technical Assistance Team, states the following:

— an autopsy confirmed that Drew Wilson drowned April 6, 2002, in a bathtub at the residence of Darrell Wilson who was the only adult present. Drew normally took baths, could swim, and had previously been left alone in the bathtub while taking baths. Research concerning bathtub drowning shows that healthy 5-year-olds do not drown in bathtubs exclusive of trauma

— Darrell L. Wilson had reason to believe that Drew was not his biological child. Mr. Wilson had a long history of failure to pay child support for Drew and had left jobs when income withholding orders arrived at his employers

— Mr. Wilson’s second marriage was on the brink of divorce with his second wife leaving him around the middle of February. At the time of the separation, Mr. Wilson was approximately $2,000 behind on child support payments.

— On March 3, 2002, Mr. Wilson admitted himself to the Heartland Health Center after threatening suicide. He only identified his two children with his second wife during this hospital admission. He refused medication but did engage in two follow-up appointments. On March 22, 2002, he indicated that he couldn’t get over his second wife leaving him and wanted reconciliation.

— On April 5, 2002, Mr. Wilson failed to show up for follow-up appointment (and never returned for any additional counseling, even after his son’s death).

— Drew Wilson drowned the next day, April 6, 2002.

— The initial statement made by Mr. Wilson to the Daviess County Sheriff’s Department and the State Technical Assistance Team, later, was inconsistent with a recording of the 911 tape of his call made the morning of April 6, 2002. When inconsistencies were pointed out, Mr. Wilson changed part of his story to fit the tape recording but would not account for the other inconsistences that were critical.

Charges against Darrell L. Wilson were filed last Thursday, May 1. Daviess County Associate Circuit Judge Daren Adkins disqualified himself, and the case was assigned to Clinton County Associate Circuit Judge Paul T. Luckenbill.

Assistant Attorney General Bob Ahsens III has been appointed to assist Daviess County Prosecutor Julia Filley in the prosecution of the murder case. Mr. Wilson will be represented by Kansas City attorney John Picerno.

This case has already attracted widespread attention, with media coverage from Kansas City and St. Joseph focusing on the proceedings. Sheriff Kevin Heldenbrand has stated that this is a hard case to pursue, noting “there’s no one speaking for the boy but us.” In an official statement released after Wilson’s arraignment, the sheriff noted that the charge is an allegation only at this point, as the defendant has not been found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

At the time of the child’s death, investigating officers could find no evidence of foul play.

According to a report filed at the time, Mr. Wilson made an emergency call that morning to the Sheriff’s Department, saying his son had drowned. When sheriff deputies arrived at the residence about 7 miles outside of Gallatin, the defendant said he had left the bathroom for two or three minutes to change his clothes while the boy was taking a bath. Mr. Wilson said that upon his return to the bathtub, he found the boy face down in the water.

Attempts to resuscitate the boy, even after emergency medical personnel arrived, failed. Drew Wilson was pronounced dead at Wright Memorial Hospital in Trenton.