Woman found dead after she didn’t pick up children from day care in Washington; suspect arrested

SPOKANE, Wash. — A man has been arrested after a woman was reportedly found dead after not picking up her children from day care in Spokane, Washington, officials say.

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Spokane Police Department in a news release said that on Feb. 9 around 7 p.m., officers were called for a welfare check at the 500 block of W. Sinto Avenue. When officers arrived at the apartment, they found a woman who was deceased with obvious signs of trauma.

Police said daycare workers had called 911 after they tried to call a parent multiple times to pick up her children.

The woman was seen on security footage going into her apartment around 5 p.m. and was reportedly arguing with a man identified as Jean Paul Kirkpatrick, according to KXLY. The video showed the two arguing outside the apartment door for a few minutes. No one reportedly came out for a few minutes but Kirkpatrick was allegedly seen leaving the apartment, going into another one, and then returning.

Kirkpatrick was allegedly seen leaving the apartment a minute or so later carrying a black bag before getting into his car and driving away, according to KXLY.

Kirkpatrick was arrested and charged with second-degree murder, according to Spokane Police Department. Kirkpatrick reportedly has 11 prior convictions including multiple thefts. Last month he was convicted of two misdemeanors -- domestic violence no-contact order violation and interfering with a domestic violence report.

Authorities say the victim’s identity has not yet been released but they expect it to be by the medical examiner’s office at a later date.

The investigation is ongoing. No further information has been released.