Autistic Boy, 12, Is Arrested in Fatal Beating of Toddler

An autistic 12-year-old boy was arrested and charged Monday with beating a toddler to death as the child lay in his bed.

The boy’s grandparents were baby-sitting the 18-month-old victim, whom they met through a support group for families with autistic children, said Milpitas Police Cpl. Sandy Holliday.

“They’re absolutely devastated,” Holliday said of the grandparents.

The attack took place Saturday night as the victim, Alexis Henckollas, lay napping in a bed at the grandparents’ home. The 12-year-old was in the room next to Alexis.

Police said the grandmother was shopping and the grandfather was in the backyard at the time.

Holliday said police did not know what sparked the attack, but had some reports that Alexis began to cry.

“It might have triggered a reaction in the suspect,” Holliday said. “The suspect beat him, threw him and bit him. The actual cause of death was severe head injuries.”

Rescue workers found Alexis unconscious and covered in blood. They tried vainly to revive him. He was pronounced dead Sunday.

Police on Monday decided to arrest the 12-year-old on charges of murder and took him to Santa Clara County Juvenile Hall. The district attorney’s office is reviewing the case and will decide if the boy understood his actions well enough to face formal charges.

The boy’s mother is dead, and he has been living with his grandparents since 1991. Along with autism, which interferes with communication and social development, the boy suffers from physical disorders and takes numerous prescribed medications, police said. He is under the care of a psychologist and a physician.

The grandparents joined a support group for families with autistic children and met Alexis’ family, Holliday said. Alexis was apparently healthy but had two autistic siblings.

“The grandparents would watch the victim to allow the parents to have some time,” Holliday said.