Oregon Woman Indicted For Manslaughter In Toddler’s Unlicensed Day Care Death

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A Crook County woman has been indicted on charges including manslaughter following the September 2025 death of a toddler at an unlicensed day care, which she's accused of operating. Tralina Inez Fulton is scheduled to be arraigned on May 6 for the death of a 20-month-old toddler.

KTVZ News, along with our media partners at the Prineville Review, were the first to report that the child died after falling into a small livestock trough at Fulton's residence, where authorities say she was unlawfully operating a day care facility. When emergency responders arrived at the home on Sept. 9, 2025, they discovered 14 children under Fulton's care, exceeding state regulations for unlicensed providers.

A Crook County grand jury indicted the 67-year-old on one count of second-degree manslaughter, one count of criminally negligent homicide, and one count of second-degree child neglect. She is currently out on a conditional security agreement after bail was set at $250,000. According to court records, the grand jury proceedings were conducted in March 2026 following the investigation into the child's death.

On Sept. 9, 2025, emergency responders arrived at the residence and found 14 children in Fulton's care. Several of the children were one year old. The Crook County Sheriff's Office reported that deputies performed life-saving measures and CPR on the child at the scene. The toddler was then airlifted to Oregon Health & Science University in Portland, where he later died. Officers confirmed the child had fallen into a small animal trough located in the backyard of the property.

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Crook County woman indicted for manslaughter in toddler's unlicensed day care death

PRINEVILLE, Ore. (KTVZ) — A Crook County woman has been indicted on charges including manslaughter following the September 2025 death of a toddler at an unlicensed day care, which she's accused of operating. Tralina Inez Fulton is scheduled to be arraigned on May 6 for the death of a...

ktvz.com

A Crook County family is speaking publicly for the first time since a grand jury indicted a woman in connection with the death of their 20-month-old son at an unlicensed daycare.

In a statement released by their attorney, Russell Button, the parents of Heath Rictor described the devastating loss of their son and called for accountability, while also urging stronger awareness around childcare safety.

“There are no words to describe the agonizing heartbreak of losing our 20-month-old son, Heath,” the statement reads. “He was the light of our lives, and he had a life that mattered. His preventable death has left a void in our family that can never be filled.”

Heath’s parents said that while nothing can undo their loss, they hope their son’s death serves as a wake-up call for both caregivers and families.

“Parents must be able to trust that their children are being closely watched,” the statement said. “Caregivers should never take on more children than they can safely manage, and they must make sure children are never put in dangerous situations like our Heath was.”

State law requires every child care provider to be licensed and subject to oversight when caring for young children. The Department of Early Learning and Care has launched a separate investigation into the operation, saying, "For licensed programs, we do have requirements related to safety around bodies of water for children." Heath is believed to have died after falling into a small animal trough.

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Family speaks out after indictment in toddler’s death at unlicensed daycare

PRINEVILLE, Ore. (KTVZ) — A Crook County family is speaking publicly for the first time since a grand jury indicted a woman in connection with the death of their 20-month-old son at an unlicensed daycare. In a statement released by their attorney, Russell Button, the parents of Heath Rictor...

ktvz.com

 

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