Parents Plead Guilty in Starvation Death of 9-Year-Old Son

A Pennsylvania couple charged in the starvation death of their disabled 9-year-old son has pleaded guilty to third-degree murder and other charges.

Thirty-nine-year-old Jarrod Tutko Sr. pleaded guilty Monday in Dauphin County Court to the murder charge as well as child endangerment and concealing the death of a child.

Forty-year-old Kimberly Tutko pleaded guilty to murder and child endangerment in the death of Jarrod Tutko Jr. The boy's body was found in August 2014 in the family's Harrisburg home. At the time of his death, Kimberly claimed she only discovered her son's death after noticing a foul smell inside the house. 

Jarrod had a genetic disorder with autism-like symptoms and weighed less than 17 pounds. An autopsy concluded that he died of malnutrition and neglect.

The parents also pleaded guilty to aggravated assault and child endangerment related to their 10-year-old disabled daughter. Police investigating Jarrod's death found her in dire medical condition.