Lacey man gets 43 years for 2022 murder of 13-month-old boy, prosecutor says

A Lacey man on Thursday was sentenced to 43-plus years in prison for the 2022 murder of a 13-month-old boy, the Thurston County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office announced.

Thurston County Superior Court Judge Christine Schaller sentenced Eric Boudreau, 35, to 520 months, or 43.3 years, according to a news release.

Boudreau was found guilty of second-degree murder last month.

The jury returned special verdicts, finding that he committed the crime with three aggravating factors: the victim was particularly vulnerable or incapable of resistance; the defendant used his position of trust to facilitate the commission of the murder; and the defendant’s conduct manifested deliberate cruelty, according to the release.

On Veterans Day 2022, when the boy’s daycare was closed, the parents testified that they entrusted their son to Boudreau because they believed he would ensure their child’s safety and well-being.

According to the forensic pathologist’s report, the boy suffered more than “115 distinct injuries, including a frontal bone skull fracture, a bite mark, and multiple lacerations, abrasions and contusions,” the release reads.

The state sought an exceptional sentence outside the standard range because of the severity of the crime and the jury’s special verdicts.

The prosecutor recommended an additional 84 months to account for each bruise documented on the child’s body — excluding those on the head and face — and an additional 17 years to represent the years of life taken before the child could reach adulthood, the release reads.

The boy’s mother spoke during the hearing, according to the release.

She described her son as “sassy and silly,” noting that “he was the youngest and wanted nothing more than to keep up with his big brothers.”

“We don’t just miss him on birthdays or holidays,” she said. “We miss him every single day.”

Boudreau will never again have the opportunity to harm another child, prosecuting attorneys said.

“We are grateful to the jurors for their time and attention throughout this lengthy trial; to the first responders and emergency room doctors for their tireless efforts in trying to save the child’s life; and to the Lacey Police Department and other medical professionals for their meticulous and dedicated work on this case.”