Clallam County Sheriff’s Detectives have arrested 44-year old Forks resident Ramona Jean Ward for the murder of a 27-month-old male toddler.

On Wednesday, Nov. 9, at approximately 1357 hours Ward called 911 from her residence in the 1700 block of Calawah Way in Forks to report that a toddler, left in her care, was unresponsive. CPR was initiated and the child was transported by Forks Ambulance to the Forks Community Hospital.

Upon initial evaluation by medical staff, injuries consistent with abuse and neglect were identified. Those injuries included the diagnosis of a traumatic brain injury. The child was subsequently airlifted to the Harborview Medical Center and hospitalized in the trauma center’s intensive care unit.

A criminal investigation was initiated by Clallam County Sheriff’s Detectives, assisted by Detectives from the Port Angeles and Sequim Police Departments. On Thursday, November 10 Detectives along with the Washington State Patrol’s Crime Lab Response Team, executed a search warrant on the suspect’s residence. Evidence consistent with an ongoing pattern of abuse and neglect was discovered at the home.

On Thursday evening Detectives interviewed and arrested Ward in Forks. Ward was transported by Deputies to the Clallam County Jail in Port Angeles where she was booked for Assault of a Child in the First Degree.

The toddler was pronounced deceased this morning at Harborview Medical Center. The charges against Ward have since been amended to Murder in the Second Degree.

Detectives of the allied agencies continue to investigate.