A local cardiologist and his wife were arrested today for the murder of their two year old adopted son in April. Dr. James Peter Yhip, age 46, and his wife Edelyn Yhip, age 43, were arrested by detectives from the Butte County Sheriff’s Office today. Dr. Yhip was charged with one count of Murder and one count of felony Child Endangerment. His wife Edelyn was charged with one count of Abuse of a Child Under 8 years Old Causing Death, Murder, and felony Child Endangerment. Their bail was set at $1,050,000 and $2,050,000 respectively.
On April 18th, Edelyn Yhip placed a 911 call from their residence on Gardenbrook Drive in Chico to report that her two year old son was unresponsive. Medical personell responded to the scene and transported the child to Enloe Hopsital in Chico. The child was stabilzecd in the Emergency Room and then taken to Sutter Memorial Hospital in Sacramento via helicopter. His condition continued to deteriorate and he was pronounced dead the next day.
After a lengthy investigation, the Butte County Sheriffs Office determined that the cause of death was blunt force trauma to the head. The deceased child’s twin brother and adopted sister have been placed with Children’s Services since his death.
This is breaking news. Stay tuned for more information.
