She asked him to watch the boys. He got jailed for threatening to kill them
A West Richland man keeping an eye on two boys swimming ended up in jail for threatening them.
A 9-year-old boy staying at the La Quinta Inn with his mother invited his friend to come join him at the hotel’s swimming pool.
The mother left the pair in the care of a longtime friend, Bernardino Garza, 34, about 6:30 p.m. Sunday, said Kennewick Officer Roman Trujillo.
As the boys were swimming, Garza allegedly began threatening to hurt or kill the boys, said police. Several people heard the threats continue as the trio walked back to their room. Others in the hotel called the front desk and the police.
When officers knocked on the hotel room door, Garza didn’t answer. Concerned about the children, officers went inside and found Garza and the boys.
The children said Garza stopped them from answering the door.
Neither of the boys was hurt and no weapons were found. The mother said she’d known Garza for about 15 years.
He was arrested on investigation of misdemeanor harassment and obstructing a police officer.
Cameron Probert: 509-582-1402, @cameroncprobert
This story was originally published December 4, 2017 at 12:38 PM with the headline "She asked him to watch the boys. He got jailed for threatening to kill them."