Child’s Fire Death Leaves Shock And Sadness

Alabama Mobile Young Mobile boy's parents arrested for manslaughter

by Steve Alexander

Published: Fri, April 18, 2008 - 7:11 pm CST

People in a Mobile apartment complex are asking, "How could such a tragedy happen?"
A mother and her live-in boyfriend are charged in the death of their three year old son.
Police say Elizabeth Foster and Brandon Gurley are charged with manslaughter in the death of Christian Foster.
Mobile Fire Officials say Foster died in a bedroom at the Orleans Apartments, where the door had been tied shut with an extension cord.
Police say Elizabeth Foster and Brandon Gurley left the boy home alone.
Eric Gallichant with the Mobile Police Department said, "Miss Foster had left the child in the apartment alone, locked in the bedroom while she went to work. Her boyfriend was also not there at the apartment when any of this took place or when the child was there. His actions also resulted in this child's death."
Police also say Foster told them she left the three year old at home, but took her three month old infant to work with her. The infant is now in foster care.
Michael Keith lives in the Orleans Apartments and says he's seen the couple around the complex.
Keith said, "I never met her, but I know him. I sat out here and just talked to him and associated with him."
Other families at the complex have also seen Christian.
Ronnie Price has a daughter the same age as the dead child.
He said, "I can't believe that happened. I wish I was awake to be able to do something. It's sad."
Another person who lives in the complex said, "I used to see the boyfriend on the playground all the time. He was with his dad and I guess, the boyfriend. They were always together, so I never thought that something like that would happen."
Police have also charged Gurley with possession of a controlled substance.
They say they when he was arrested, he had a pill believed to be a Loritab.

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