Baby sitter's condition improves

No criminal charges planned for Royal City deaths

ROYAL CITY - The 21-year-old baby sitter and cousin of three children who died Monday from carbon monoxide poisoning was showing improvement Thursday at a Spokane hospital.

Jazmin Ramirez, 21, was previously listed in critical condition, but was upgraded to serious condition at Sacred Heart Medical Center, a hospital spokesperson said.

Ramirez's younger cousin, Katya Rodriguez, 13, was still in critical condition Thursday.

They were hospitalized Monday night after a gas-powered generator was brought into the children's Royal City home to power a heater.

An outage Monday afternoon had knocked out power for seven or eight homes on Lower Crab Creek Road near Royal City. The children's home was one of the homes without power.

Rodriguez's younger brothers, Jose Gilberto Acosta Ramirez, 8 and Alan Y. Acosta Ramirez, 4 months, and sister Yadina Acosta Ramirez, 2, died from carbon monoxide poisoning.

The children's parents work at Rasor Farms near Royal City. Their employers Steve and Linda Rasor were still in Spokane Thursday with the family, said the Rasor's son, Ryan Rasor.

"Every so often I get a report from them," Ryan Rasor said. He added he didn't know how long the cousins would be in the hospital.

The situation doesn't appear to be criminal and there are no plans to pursue charges, Grant County Chief Deputy John Turley said.

"Whoever did it, I don't believe did it in a fashion to harm anyone," he said.

He said deputies believe the generator was originally in the living room with the children.

Grant Fire District 10 and 11 Chief Brian Evans responded to the home with ambulance crews. He said it was his understanding the generator was first in the kitchen, according to information he learned from family and friends.

He also said there was a language barrier present because the family spoke Spanish.

The generator was moved outside by the time medics arrived, he said.

Grant County Coroner Jerry Jasman said he's waiting to receive more information from the sheriff's office investigation to include in his report.

He said the generator was outside when he arrived on-scene.