Chico doctor, wife accused of killing adopted son, 2

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (KCRA) - A Chico doctor and his wife are accused of killing their 2-year-old adopted son, the Butte County Sheriff's Office said Wednesday.

Dr. James Peter Yhip, 46, will face a murder charge and a count of felony child endangerment, according to a news release from Sgt. Jason Hail. Edelyn Magakat Yhip, 43, will be charged with the same -- along with one count of the abuse of a child younger than 8 years old causing death.

They are being held on bail set at more than $1 million and $2 million, respectively, Hail said. The couple were arrested Wednesday.

Their son Benjamin was pronounced dead April 19. He died of blunt-force trauma, Hail said, citing a coroner.

Edelyn Yhip called 911 one day earlier from the couple's home on Gardenbrook Drive. She told officials her son was unresponsive.

A crew arrived and took Benjamin to Enloe Hospital, in Chico.

The toddler was stabilized before being airlifted to Sutter Memorial Hospital in Sacramento, Hail said.

His condition worsened, and he died in the afternoon hours of that Thursday.

After a months-long investigation by the Sheriff's Office and district attorney investigators, Benjamin's parents were booked into the Butte County Jail.

Benjamin's twin brother and adopted sister are with Children's Services, Hail said.

Enloe Medical Center said Dr. Peter Yhip has been a member of the medical staff since June 2006, and Edelyn Yhip has worked at the center since July 2011.