RICHLAND, Wash. – According to a press release from the Kennewick Police Department, the father of the child who died on Dec. 27 at a Kennewick motel was arrested on Thursday, Jan. 4.
KPD says 30-year-old Joseph Walker was found at a home in the 100 block of Cedarwood Court in Richland by members of the US Marshal Task Force and the Benton County Sheriff’s Office Pro-Act Team.
Walker was reportedly arrested without incident and will be booked into the Benton County Jail for his arrest warrant from Dec. 29.
The child’s mother, Judy Bribiescas, 39, was arraigned on Wednesday, Jan. 3 with a charge of first degree manslaughter, according to court documents.
Court documents say KPD initially responded to the Econo Lodge in Kennewick on North Ely Street on Dec. 27 for reports of a child that was not breathing.
The four-year-old was given first aid at the motel, however was pronounced dead at the hospital later according to KPD.
Two pills and multiple pill fragments said to be “skittles fentanyl” were found near the child at the motel and were collected as evidence, according to court documents.
