Unemployment, wife's illness may have led father to stab toddler to death, police say

Unemployment, wife's illness may have led father to stab toddler to death, police say

Fund is set up to cover woman's health care costs

November 25, 2004

Leslie Fulbright

San Fransisco Chronicle

A Richmond man accused of fatally stabbing his 18-month-old son may have been driven to the extreme act by the stress of his wife's terminal cancer and his recent job loss, investigators said Wednesday, and police have established a fund to help pay for the woman's health care.

Charles Thomas McEntire, 57, has been unable to pay for his health insurance, leaving wife Edrina Gibson with no medical coverage as she battles lymphoma, Richmond police Sgt. Mark Gagan said. Gibson has been given six months to live.

McEntire is accused of fatally stabbing his adopted son, Charles Thomas McEntire III, with a kitchen knife on Monday and then calling 911. He remains jailed in Martinez in lieu of $1 million bail, charged with murder. McEntire was to be arraigned Wednesday, but a judge postponed the hearing until Dec. 8.

Gagan said that McEntire and Gibson had been arguing frequently in recent days, and that their relationship had grown tense because McEntire was unable to pay for her chemotherapy and other medical expenses. Gagan did not know when McEntire lost his job or when Gibson had been diagnosed with the fast- growing cancer, but said the family had recently lost its health coverage.

Gibson's son, Jamil Posey, is helping care for his mother but serves in the Marines and is to ship out for Iraq within months, Gagan said.

The Richmond Police Department opened a bank account for donations to help Gibson pay for her medical bills, Gagan said. The Richmond Police Officers Association made the first donation -- $250 -- and was followed by the Richmond branch of the Latino Peace Officers Association.

The account is under the name Sgt. Mitch Peixoto, The McEntire Memorial Fund, Washington Mutual Bank, 12121 San Pablo Ave., Richmond, CA 94805, account No. 1001934719.

E-mail Leslie Fulbright at lfulbright@sfchronicle.com.