Parents of boy, 3, avoid murder charges in plea

Bill Gang

Friday, Nov. 27, 1998 | 11:13 a.m.

The mother and stepfather of a 3-year-old boy who died from child abuse have pleaded guilty to felony charges, but they won't face murder counts.

Karen and Jeffrey Perkins, both 27, will be sentenced Dec. 6 on the charges that could put them in prison for up to 20 years, although probation also is an option for District Judge Michael Douglas.

William Cooper II died in August as a result of the prolonged abuse, but just which acts resulted in the head injury that claimed his life were unclear.

Deputy District Attorney Tom Carroll noted Wednesday that some of the 20 to 30 visible injuries had been inflicted a week before the death and others two or three days before. Still more abuse was suffered by the boy on the day he died.

Karen Perkins admitted she had whipped the boy with a belt, leaving marks seen by the county's medical examiner, but she blamed Jeffrey Perkins for the bulk of the injuries.

Jeffrey Perkins pleaded guilty to child abuse but did so under a legal provision that does not require him to admit responsibility.

Carroll said that both defendants had cared for the boy during the days of abuse and would have been aware of the injuries that included scars, cuts, scrapes and head trauma.

The head injuries finally resulted in the boy's death.

Karen Perkins' attorney, Robert Langford, asked at the end of the hearing that the woman be released on her own recognizance pending the sentencing. Deputy Public Defender Will Ewing made a similar request on behalf of Jeffrey Perkins.

But Douglas responded tersely, "We have the death of a 3-year-old child. Bail denied."