Mother of Autistic Son Charged With Attempted Murder

STANTON — A Stanton woman accused of trying to poison her 5-year- old autistic son was charged today with attempted murder, but without the "premeditated" enhancement that could result in a life prison term.

Heidi Shelton, 38, made her initial appearance in a Westminster courtroom this afternoon. But her arraignment on the attempted murder and felony child abuse charges was postponed until Dec. 19, a court clerk said.

Superior Court Judge Michael McCartin set bail at $1 million, the clerk said.

Deputy District Attorney Jo Escobar said she would seek a bail amount that would ensure Shelton would not be released, given reports that she took an overdose of the anti-anxiety drug Xanax -- after allegedly giving her son five pills -- in what was described in police reports as an attempt at suicide.

"We're still trying to investigate her mental state," Escobar said. "Clearly it's at issue."

Shelton was arrested after paramedics, sent to a residence in the 7400 block of Penn Way on Monday, found the woman and son dazed and disoriented, Escobar said.

Jim Amormino of the Orange County Sheriff's Department said authorities were called by the boy's grandmother, who lives with the family.

Upon their release from a hospital, the mother was booked into the Women's Jail, and her son placed in protective custody, Amormino said.

Escobar said she does not yet know "if this dose would ever have worked, but an ineffectual attempt to kill someone is not necessary" for an attempted murder conviction.

"This is sort of a sad, sad situation," Escobar said.

If convicted, Shelton faces a maximum prison term of nine years in prison, Escobar said.

A neighbor told the Los Angeles Times that she could not believe Shelton would try to kill her son.

"She worshipped that boy," Darci Rynsburger said.

"Zachary is her whole life," Reggie Bernard, another neighbor, told the newspaper.

Neighbors said the woman dropped a real estate career to take care of the boy herself, and that when they saw her on frequent walks with the boy, she never seemed upset.

The neighbors said the boy is rambunctious and needs constant attention.

Bernard Rimland, founder of the Autism Society of America, told the newspaper that dealing with autism, a neurological disorder that affects a person's ability to interact with others, is frustrating.

"A mother likes to get a response from their kid. But the autistic kid is programmed so he does not respond to kindness and hugs," Rimland said. "He often is indifferent."

Last Updated: Dec 11, 2002