Murder By Abuse Charged In Oregon

HILLSBORO, Ore.

A Washington County couple were charged yesterday with murder by abuse in the death of a 2-year-old girl they had hoped to adopt.

Sarita Gonzales, 33, and Bruce L. Butterfield, 36, were accused in the Jan. 11 death of Katie Butterfield-Gonzales.

The child died of head injuries, according to Dr. Edward Wilson, deputy state medical examiner.

Gonzales and Butterfield were the first people charged under the abuse section added to Oregon's murder statute by the 1989 Legislature. The amendment specifies charges for recklessly causing the death of a child under the age of 14.

Butterfield is being held in the Washington County Jail without bail. Gonzales, who was not believed to have been involved in injuring the child, was released on her own recognizance.