Parents Arrested: Coroner Says 11-Year-Old Zachary Sabin Died From Forced Water Intoxication
EL PASO COUNTY, Colo. (CBS4) -- A man and woman in El Paso County are facing first degree murder charges for the death of their 11-year-old son. The coroner report shows Zachary Sabin died as a result of forced water intoxication. The sheriff's office arrested Ryan and Tara Sabin Tuesday night, after months of investigation.
Zachary Sabin died on Mar. 11. The coroner's report says Sabin was forced to drink four 24-ounce bottles of water over four hours without food. He reportedly began vomiting and was found dead in his bed with oral foam.
The coroner report states that he also suffered blunt force trauma.
According to affidavit, the couple said Zachary Sabin was supposed to drink water because he had a bed-wetting problem.
On the night of Mar. 10, Ryan Sabin said his stepson was "only taking sips and throwing up the water."
Ryan Sabin told investigators the boys was throwing up because "he was drinking the water too slowly and getting air in his stomach which caused the water to sit on top of it." He said he told his stepson to chug the water and just "burp it out."
The couple claims he threw a fit -- "flailing around and putting on an act" -- and Ryan Sabin admitted kicking the boy at least twice.
Ryan Sabin said he fell asleep and they put him to bed thinking he was fine.
Ryan and Tara Sabin were scheduled to be in court for a video advisement at 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday.
