| 7/13/2009 5:07:00 PM | Email this article • Print this article |
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| The memorials of neighbors and friends grow at the South St. Paul home where a 10-year-old boy was found dead July 6. |
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| | Grief counseling available | The South St. Paul school district has counselors on hand to help students and others deal with grief following Michael Becht's death. Please call the high school's main office at 651-457-9408 or Kaposia Learning Center's main office at 651-288-6880 for more information.
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SSP mother charged in murder-suicide plot
Danielle Cabot
Review Staff
A South St. Paul mother of three allegedly formed a suicide pact with her two youngest children days in advance of administering overdoses of prescription medication to her children and herself. The overdoses July 6 resulted in the death of her 10-year-old son and the hospitalization of herself and her youngest daughter.
Patricia Ann Becht, 42, of South St. Paul was charged July 10 with first-degree murder and first-degree attempted murder. She is being held at Minnesota's maximum-security psychiatric hospital in St. Peter.
Her son, 10-year-old Michael Vonheath Becht Jr. of South St. Paul was found dead July 6 at the family's home on the 700 block of First Avenue South after an adult niece stopped at the home to check on the family. Patricia Becht and Michael's 11-year-old sister Erica were taken to United Hospital and Children's Hospital, respectively, to receive medical attention for overdoses Patricia Becht said she provided of the bipolar medication Seroquel.
No fewer than seven different kinds of medication were found by the bed of the deceased boy, including a variety of prescription and controlled substances for the treatment of bipolar disease, anxiety, seizures, schizophrenia as well as the painkiller oxycodone. Investigators are waiting on toxicology reports to determine whether the children had any other of these drugs in their system at the time, according to Dakota County Attorney James Backstrom. He said it appears that all the medications were "validly given" to members of the family.
It also appears to authorities that the children were aware of the plan before July 10 and were keeping it secret from outsiders. A neighborhood child told a police officer she had been playing with Michael and Erica the day before the incident and Michael had mentioned something about pills. His sister had scolded Michael for saying what he said and sent him home, according to the report.
Patricia Becht told police that her children asked her about Michael Jackson's estate, Neverland, during coverage of his death and the family discussed going there. She told them that it was like heaven.
Police found a suicide note in the living room addressed to Patricia's 16-year-old daughter, who was not present at the scene. Patricia Becht later told police in an interview at the hospital that she had written the note.
The note said that the 16-year-old daughter would not understand, and that at last Patricia Becht felt she and the younger children were at peace. Another writing found in the living room said, "I don't have much to say, only that we are happy to be gone."
Police also found a list at the scene titled "Things to do for Sunday," in which Becht apparently outlines in pragmatic detail reminders to herself to write the farewell letters, measure the medication and leave directions for her oldest daughter to contact family and friends.
Becht's niece called 911 about 5:30 p.m. July 6. She was checking on the family because Patricia's 16-year-old daughter, who was out of town, could not make contact with the family by phone. The South Metro Fire Department was the first to respond. Michael's sister Erica was found unconscious and breathing, and his mother was found conscious and vomiting in the bathroom.
Michael, who was autistic, recently finished the fourth grade in the Intermediate District 917 special education program in Rosemount, and was slated to start a summer program on Tuesday, according to Melissa Schaller, the district's Special Education Director.
Both sisters attend South St. Paul schools, according to Superintendent Patty Heminover. She said family members have told her that Erica is expected to make a full recovery from the overdose.
Dakota County Social Services "is coordinating care" for the two daughters, according to police.
Bail was set for Becht at $1 million without conditions and $750,000 with conditions. She will undergo a mental health evaluation in the next 60 days, after which a grand jury will be convened to review the case.
Danielle Cabot can be reached at southwest@lillienews.com or 651-748-7815.
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