Parents in death of Karreon Franks turn themselves in

by: Jenny Young, KOIN 6 News Staff

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — The adoptive parents of a teen who died of starvation and neglect last November turned themselves in Friday, according to the Stockton Police Department.

A spokesperson with SPD told KOIN 6 News that it was a “little unusual” for homicide suspects to turn themselves in.

Jesse Frank and Felicia Adams-Franks were arrested in Stockton, California on murder and abuse charges.

On December 1, Vancouver Police began an investigation into the death of 15-year-old Karreon Franks, who died at a Vancouver hospital on November 27.

Prosecutors say they committed “deliberate cruelty” and “engaged in a pattern or practice of assault or torture” of Karreon, who was severely disabled.

Karreon was autistic, legally blind and unable to speak. A CPS worker visited the home just 6 days before he died.

A neighbor who did not want to be identified told KOIN 6 News about the first time he met Karreon.

“Skinny as bones,” he said. “It was just sad because he was just like begging for water.”

The neighbor said it was a rare occasion for Karreon to be sitting outside with some of the neighborhood kids. He said it was apparent that Karreon was thirsty.

“Give him some water, that’s what I said, and the kids were like, “No we can’t give him water he’ll pee his pants and then we’ll get in trouble,” he said. “And I said f**k that and I came in the house, got a bottle of water and gave him a bottle of water.”

The man said people didn’t find out about Karreon’s death until April, but by then, he had been dead since the day after Thanksgiving, according to law enforcement.

According to court records, a CPS case worker visited the home just six days before Karreon died.