Tralina Fulton faces charges of second-degree manslaughter and criminally negligent homicide after a 20-month-old boy drowned in a livestock water trough at her unlicensed home day care in Crook County. The incident occurred on September 9, 2025, while Fulton was watching 14 children. Heath Rictor's parents described the death as preventable negligence.
Tralina Fulton, 67, was indicted for the death of Heath Rictor at her home in Crook County, Oregon. According to the indictment, Fulton left the toddler unattended in her backyard, allowing him to wander into an animal water trough where he drowned. Police described her actions as unlawful and criminally negligent, noting she exceeded state limits for unlicensed child care providers by watching 14 children that day. Fulton admitted to caring for that number of children, per the Prineville Review, and authorities removed the kids from her home afterward. The Oregon Department of Early Learning and Care is investigating the case. Heath's parents, Zachary and Donna Rictor, spoke through their lawyer, Russell Button, expressing profound heartbreak over their son's preventable death. Button told Central Oregon Daily News that the incident reflected a failure of basic child safety, such as not allowing toddlers to wander unsupervised near water hazards or taking on too many children. The family hopes the case serves as a reminder for caregivers to manage children safely and eliminate dangers. The parents welcomed the grand jury indictment as a first step toward justice and thanked law enforcement and prosecutors. They anticipate Fulton's arraignment on May 6. Efforts to reach Fulton or her lawyer for comment were unsuccessful.
