PUYALLUP, Wash. — More than a year after Brentlee Lawrence died from acute fentanyl toxicity, Pierce County detectives say new information has led to a felony warrant for the child’s father, Kyler Lawrence.
Charging documents filed last month for Lawrence say Brentlee’s mother, Jordan Shank, lied to detectives when they investigated the Puyallup home where Brentlee overdosed.
Shank told detectives she didn’t know where Lawrence was, but now says Lawrence was hiding in the attic and that he told her to lie for him.
“I’m sad that my nephew is gone and both those responsible should be held accountable for what they did,” said Cody Parsons, Brentlee Lawrence’s uncle.
Shank is scheduled for a trial readiness hearing on Oct. 30, and the Parsons family is suspicious of the timing of this new information.
“I feel like my sister is trying to get a plea deal. I’m not sure, but I think that’s what she’s trying to do,” said Cody Parsons.
The Parsons cared for Brentlee for nearly a year, but under the Keeping Families Together Act, they were ordered to return Brentlee to his biological parents, Shank and Lawrence.
“He should have never been put back into their care. They still weren’t clean,” said Cassandra Parsons, Brentlee’s aunt. “Why weren’t they continuing drug checks? Just because they’re on drugs, they shouldn’t get their child taken away? No. Being on drugs is a reason to get your child taken away because now he’s gone.”
Lawrence is now charged with first-degree manslaughter, and the Parsons have a message for anyone who may be hiding Lawrence.
“You’re at fault if you harbor him. You can have consequences from doing this, and anybody that’s protecting those two that murdered Brentlee deserves to stay in jail too,” said Cassandra Parsons. "
Another aunt, who wished to remain anonymous, sent this statement to KIRO 7:
“Brentlee was the sweetest, happiest, and most innocent little boy. He loved everyone and always had a smile on his face. He lived in a house that his parents were squatting in and selling drugs out of. There were addicts in and out of there all day, every day. I called CPS all the time. Kyler needs to be held accountable not for only for his death, but for the 5 years of abuse Brentlee endured”.
A detective report says they have leads on where Lawrence may be, but for now, the Pierce County Sheriff’s Office asks anyone who has seen Lawrence or knows where he is to call 911 immediately.