WA - James Wamsley for rape of infant, Benton County, 2007

[scarpetta]

It’s obvious this 17 year old is, at the very least, missing that internal trigger that stops people in the act of inflicting pain. The prison system houses thousands who are void of, or had removed at a very young age, that same empathetic button.

But I am wondering why this mother, instead of seeking out a relative or a fellow mommy friend, felt absolutely confident that this teenage male was capable of changing hours worth of diapers. She must have also thought that this apparently very unique 17 year old male was capable of feeding her babies, and having an attention span long enough to make sure the 3 year old does not wander into another room and stick a fork in an electrical outlet. Is she Amish and does not have a television, a computer, or a telephone?

There are many very responsible 17 year old young men who just might be capable of taking care of an infant for hours adequately. But I am guessing that this self proclaimed “I love weed and doing dirty stuff” is not one of them.
So when did this mommy develop that relationship with this 17 year old that made her feel so confident that her two most prized possessions in the world would be well taken care of?

[FONT=&quot]I’m not passing judgment on this woman while there are so little facts. I am just wondering if she would have felt as confident leaving a hundred dollar bill laying around her house for this kid to see as she did leaving her defenseless offspring in his hands.
[/FONT]

 

[scarpetta]

James Wamsley was arrested around 3 in the morning.
http://www.keprtv.com/news/local/7736397.html

Trial set for July 23
http://www.tri-cityherald.com/tch/local/story/8937156p-8837096c.html

He has pleaded Not Guilty.

 

[scarpetta]

On his myspace page James Wamsley has a video of skateboarding at the Richland Bowl. He also states that he lives in Kennewick, WA. The only Wamsley I am finding in Kennewick is 7.3 mi. from the Richland Bowl.

Usually the media jumps on everyone's identity right away. Any idea why they are not doing this with this guy? He is being tried as an adult, but is it because he is a minor that the media is not digging in to this case?

 

[philamena]

Well, good for you. Let's strap him up and flip the switch. Obviously, that will make you feel better.

I, however, feel as though we have more than one victim here.

You're "good for you comment" in your post to me makes no sense. The only GOOD thing about this case is the 17 year old being arrested and taken off the streets before he does this to someone else.
Obviously, he was charged with sexually abuse ie, raping a baby.
Would you want him babysitting your infant son?
From the above link:
http://www.tri-cityherald.com/tch/local/story/8937156p-8837096c.html

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Paramedics took the infant to Kadlec Medical Center, where the boy was treated for severe injuries from a sexual assault. Richland police Capt. Mike Cobb said the baby was later sent to a Spokane-area hospital. [/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Police are not releasing the name of the baby so his condition was not available.[/FONT]

The baby was treated for severe injuries. Maybe you'd like the teen to receive what? A slap on the hand?

 

[scarpetta]

So many questions keep going thru my mind on this one, like where was the 3 year old while this was happening to her baby brother?

There was also one news report I found that stated that the baby had to be air lifted at one point. I can't seem to find anything more on that. The other reports that describe his injuries (plural) as "horrific" and "Unfathomable" are downright sickening and I am wondering what all he did to this poor baby.

Also, this kids friends seem to all be of "like mind" (emphasis on drugs and sex) and I am wondering if he had any kind of communication with them during the course of the evening. No mention of the baby having a dad around, so did this mom go to the 9 hour BBQ alone?

 

[philamena]

Scarpetta,
All your questions are good questions. I'm having trouble finding articles about this case on the net. When it first happened there was a link to a news video from a local news affiliate. The reporter said the baby had severe internal injuries. That's why he was air lifted.
With the victim being a boy and the crime being rape, the baby probably suffered tears around and/or in his rectum.

It will be interesting to find out if the mom called home during the time she was away.
If so did she speak to the 3 year old?
Was the 3 year old examined also?

 

[scarpetta]

Scarpetta,
All your questions are good questions. I'm having trouble finding articles about this case on the net. When it first happened there was a link to a news video from a local news affiliate. The reporter said the baby had severe internal injuries. That's why he was air lifted.
With the victim being a boy and the crime being rape, the baby probably suffered tears around and/or in his rectum.

It will be interesting to find out if the mom called home during the time she was away.
If so did she speak to the 3 year old?
Was the 3 year old examined also?

Hey philamena, I saw that video clip too. I wondered also, like you, if the 3 year old was examined as well. My personal opinion is that he probably left the 3 year old alone because she is able to talk. The baby can't. The names and address I tracked down is at an apartment complex in Kennewick, WA but I have no idea if this is his actual place of residence or even his family. Police sirens are made to sound like a baby crying because they get so much attention. Also, a screaming baby normally elevates negative anxiety levels, especially in males. So I am wondering what he did to muffle the noise as well. Good grief this is a horrible case.

 

[philamena]

Hey philamena, I saw that video clip too. I wondered also, like you, if the 3 year old was examined as well. My personal opinion is that he probably left the 3 year old alone because she is able to talk. The baby can't. The names and address I tracked down is at an apartment complex in Kennewick, WA but I have no idea if this is his actual place of residence or even his family. Police sirens are made to sound like a baby crying because they get so much attention. Also, a screaming baby normally elevates negative anxiety levels, especially in males. So I am wondering what he did to muffle the noise as well. Good grief this is a horrible case.

Maybe the little girl was taking a nap or watching a video in another room. Maybe that's why she didn't hear the attack on the baby. Truthfully, I hadn't thought about the baby crying and the toddler not hearing him. Thinking of him being raped while his crys were muffled makes me ill.

 

[scarpetta]

Maybe the little girl was taking a nap or watching a video in another room. Maybe that's why she didn't hear the attack on the baby. Truthfully, I hadn't thought about the baby crying and the toddler not hearing him. Thinking of him being raped while his crys were muffled makes me ill.

The mom discovered the injuries so quickly at 11:30pm. So either the baby was still awake and needing a clean diaper, or perhaps the 3 year old reported everything she saw and/or heard and the mom investigated. I also wonder what Wamsley said when the mom got home, and what happened during the 3 hours it took to arrest him. He confessed to his parents and to the mom. So when did he confess to the mom? While at her house? She called 911 immediately, and they arrived very quickly, and so she left quickly with her baby en route to the hospital. So when did he have time to confess this to her unless he was still in her home when he did? If I came home and the babysitter confessed this to me, the babysitter would be the one being air-lifted.

 

[scarpetta]

Anyone know if this guy is a senior in High School? Can't find anything on it. Found his high school and their calender.

http://www.ksd.org/kamiakin/currentevents/calendar/currentevents.htm

 

[Indy Gal]

That is exactly my point. We don't know anything about this kid yet. What if, what if, what if..... Most sexual offenders were abused themselves. IT IS A FACT.

I wonder where the outrage was when this happened to him....and chances are it happened more than once when he was 9 months old....he probably remembers every little disgusting detail. Where were the people that were supposed to be protecting him?

I just can't believe that people are shouting DP, DP, Burn in Hell, when we know absolutely nothing.

I scream BIN because this 17 year old knew right from wrong when he raped that 9 month old baby who has to live with that forever. Why should the rapist keep his life. I know it may sound as if I am being defensive...sorry....I love your posts just posting what I think...

 

[scarpetta]

Benton County Jail Inmate List and Arrest Data (pdf Doc)
ftp://ftp.owt.com/pub/bc/jailrost.pdf

James Allen Wamsley (pg. 57)

 

[scarpetta]

If you can't open a pdf here is how it reads....

NAME: Wamsley, James Allen
A/J: J
R/S: W/M
Bk#: 2007006292
Charge: Rape of a child -1 F
Jud Status: AR
Docket: 071005955
Bond$: $500,000
Type: NO
Status: CB
Booked: 05/30/2007 18:16:12
Days in Custody: 9

 

[Indy Gal]

Thank you Honey. I just cant believe he will be out in so little time. That poor baby, can you imagine wht his life will be like.

 

[scarpetta]

Thank you Honey. I just cant believe he will be out in so little time. That poor baby, can you imagine wht his life will be like.

What strikes me as odd in this case is the absence of media follow up. I understand he is a minor and this looks like a crime of opportunity. Then why did the media report it in the first place? Because of the nature of the crime and the ages of those involved. What was disturbing to me as well was the mothers judgment in handing over her children, and then staying away for so long. Are her children still in her care? If they are, then that is an ongoing story just as worthy of printing as the first one.

 

[southcitymom]

What strikes me as odd in this case is the absence of media follow up. I understand he is a minor and this looks like a crime of opportunity. Then why did the media report it in the first place? Because of the nature of the crime and the ages of those involved. What was disturbing to me as well was the mothers judgment in handing over her children, and then staying away for so long. Are her children still in her care? If they are, then that is an ongoing story just as worthy of printing as the first one.

From the beginning of the case I have been interested in the mother's decision to leave this boy for such a long time with these two young children. I'm in no way blaming the mother, but I am curious to know her situation and her thoughts.

I think that perhaps we are not hearing more about this due to the ages of the victims as well as the alleged perpetrator.

 

[scarpetta]

From the beginning of the case I have been interested in the mother's decision to leave this boy for such a long time with these two young children. I'm in no way blaming the mother, but I am curious to know her situation and her thoughts.

I think that perhaps we are not hearing more about this due to the ages of the victims as well as the alleged perpetrator.

I think you are exactly right SCM. I was just thinking that if it was newsworthy to begin with, then the follow up reporting the circumstances and current situation of everyone effected was just as newsworthy. Maybe it will come up again as the trial gets closer.

 

[southcitymom]

I think you are exactly right SCM. I was just thinking that if it was newsworthy to begin with, then the follow up reporting the circumstances and current situation of everyone effected was just as newsworthy. Maybe it will come up again as the trial gets closer.

I hope so. There's really SO much we don't know. I have tried to do some searches but have found very little new information.

 

[Indy Gal]

I cant find anything either. Probaly due to age as you said. I still just cant grasp any of this and as I try to I get sick to my stomach.

 

[philamena]

You know why this news story isn't getting much media attention? Because the perp is a minor. He is being protected-by law- because of his age. Reporters are probably afraid to touch this story even though his name is on the arrest warrant which is public record. I personally think every cities' news paper should carry the story to alert people to the dangers of what can happen when a teen is hired as a babysitter.

IMO the mother is partially to blame. If the picnic was so important to her why not go for a couple hours only and why didn't she take her kids? I'm getting the vision of a trashy mom who pawns her kids off on whoever she can. I hope I am wrong.