Crime & Safety
Mom Faces Charges In Son’s Death
Jennifer Sanders was charged this week in connection with the death of her son, Derick, who was killed in a drunk driving crash on June 15.
OREGON CITY, OR — Jennifer Sanders, also known as Jennifer Bedwell, has been officially charged in connection with the death of her 6-year-old son, Derick Bedwell. A Clackamas County grand jury issued its indictment Tuesday afternoon, according to court documents obtained by Patch.
Derick was killed June 15 in an alleged drunk-driving crash in the Molalla River Recreation Corridor.
1 Child Killed, 2 Others Hurt In Drunk Driving Crash
Sanders' boyfriend, 34-year-old Shane Richard Bremer, was arrested and charged with manslaughter and driving under the influence of intoxicants shortly after the early evening crash. He is currently being held at Clackamas County Jail on $1 million bail.
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Sanders' misdemeanor charges come nearly two weeks after the fatal crash that also injured her other two children: Derick's twin brother Dylan Bedwell, 6, and Rebecca Sanders, 10. Both Rebecca and Dylan are named in Sanders' indictment, along with Derick.
Officially, Sanders is accused of unlawfully and recklessly creating a substantial risk of serious injury to all three of her children.
Find out what's happening in Oregon Cityfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Immediately following the crash and Bremer's arrest, Sanders stirred up controversy by asking Clackamas County officials to drop the charges against Bremer and end the county-imposed no-contact order.
Mother Seeks Clemency For Accused Drunk Driver Who Killed Her Son
At a court hearing for Bremer on June 21, a judge modified the no-contact order to allow Sanders to have phone and written contact, as well as in-jail visitations, while Bremer remains in custody.
Also on June 21, Clackamas County officials released Rebecca and Dylan back to Sanders; the children had been temporarily held in protective custody at the beginning of the crash investigation.
On June 26, however, Rebecca and Dylan were removed from Sanders' custody and placed with a family member who will formally act as a temporary foster parent, according to Bedwell family sources.
Sanders' arraignment is scheduled for July 16 at 3 p.m. in the Clackamas County Courthouse in Oregon City.
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