Mother charged with first-degree murder following son’s death

PORT ORCHARD, Wash. – A 47-year-old woman has been charged with first-degree murder following the death of her 9-year-old son northeast of Bremerton.

The Kitsap Sun reported Amber Lynn James was charged Friday in Kitsap County Superior Court.

James had previously been charged with second-degree murder following the death of Ryan Rosales on Tuesday.

But prosecutors say statements James made to a Kitsap County sheriff’s deputy show premeditation.

Emergency responders went to a home on Symes Road on Tuesday when the boy’s father called to report his son wasn’t breathing.

Authorities say life-saving measures failed and the boy was pronounced dead.

Investigators say Rosales died of asphyxia and that James told a deputy she strangled Ryan with her hands after praying and thinking about it.

Public defender Cal Cunningham declined to comment.