Aggravated manslaughter charges filed against autistic boy’s mother and her boyfriend

Jacksonville, FL — New charges have been filed against a Baker County couple following the death of a 4-year-old autistic boy.

Chance Vanderpool died in November of 2016.  Initially, the boy's mother was arrested for aggravated child abuse and child neglect.

We’ve now learned Heather Stevenson and her boyfriend, Jonathan Register, had new charges filed on July 10th.  Both are charged with aggravated manslaughter, neglect of a child causing great bodily harm, and conspiracy to commit aggravated manslaughter.

According to Baker County court records, Register is scheduled for arraignment on the new charges today at 9am.  It’s unclear when Stevenson will be arraigned.

The Baker County Sheriff’s Office said there were four children in the home at the time of the incident.

Register initially told investigators that he found Vanderpool unresponsive, and tried to wake him by splashing cold water on him. He then notified the Stevenson, who called 911. Investigators say there were signs of trauma on the boy, but he had also been known to have accidents.