three in custody in demise of 13-year-old in Washington, Mo. | St. Louis Information Headlines

WASHINGTON, Missouri (KMOV.com) – Washington, Missouri Police are investigating the death of a 13-year-old boy that occurred in a house on 7th Street.

According to police, 13-year-old Zackary Foster slept over his 12-year-old friend’s house on the 600 block on West 7th Street over the weekend. A detective tells News 4 that he believes the boys experimented with their parents’ drugs that night. In particular, police say they found methamphetamine and other prescription drugs in the house.

Foster was found dead in an upstairs bedroom on Sunday. Police confirmed that this is now being investigated as death from a drug overdose.

“Yesterday evening around 10:30 pm they were out here and threw a football right here on the field. Never thought about it, went to bed and eight hours later everything is crazy,” said Scott Brueschke.

Brueschke lives on 7th Street. He says it was the last time he saw the seventh grader from Washington Middle School.

“I was awake for about half an hour and the next thing I hear is sirens and they get louder and louder and then they stop. I thought ‘what’s up?’ I looked out the front door and they started right here with the neighbors, ambulance, everything, everyone is running back and forth, “explained Brueschke.

Detectives said it was typical of him to be in this house for an overnight stay.

“I know you [deceased teen’s mother] Son had stayed there several nights in the past. I don’t know how much she knows about the family themselves, “said Washington, Mo. Detective Sergeant Steve Sitzes.

Sitzes said the late teenager’s mother did virtually everything she could as a parent to keep her child safe. He describes this incident today as a “true tragedy”.

“She had an app on her son’s phone that allowed her to set up geofences where he was and notify her that he was outside of the geofence. She had that, she knew where he was at home and knew … when he got there and that he hadn’t left, but the tragedy still struck, “Sitzes explained.

While this mother is without her child on Sunday, the children who lived in this house on 7th Street, a 7-year-old girl and the 12-year-old boy, are in state care. The 46-year-old mother, father and male tenant living in the house were all arrested on various drug charges, including property and paraphernalia. Police say they found methamphetamine in the house and say further charges may be brought against these parents. Their names have not yet been released, but it has been confirmed that the men were 59 and 62 years old.

Sitzes said the additional charges could include, but are not limited to, manslaughter and endangering the child’s welfare.

“It will be a tough road for the family, the boy who has lost his life, and if wrongdoing has been committed, they will hopefully be prosecuted appropriately for what they have done,” said Brueschke.

Washington, Missouri Police are urging parents to be aware of and meddle in their children’s lives. They recommend meeting the parents of your child’s friend before allowing an overnight stay.

Washington Middle School issued the following statement regarding the 13-year-old’s death:

We are sad to hear of the death of a Washington Middle School student. As the county middle school and family staff, we express our condolences to the family and will respect their privacy as they mourn their loss. The family deserves nothing less. Please note that we will have additional counselors available at the middle school to support students and staff in difficulty. The school administration and counseling staff will work to provide the best possible support to the family, students and all staff. Please direct all investigative questions to the Washington Police Department. We send our deepest condolences to the family and ask that you keep them in your thoughts and prayers.

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