The step-mother of a 4-year-old Fort Irwin boy is arrested for his murder 
DATE/TIME: Thursday, June 7, 2018 5:30 p.m.
INCIDENT: Murder Investigation
LOCATION: Rhineland Dr., Fort Irwin
VICTIM: Benjamin Schmittle, 4 years old, resident of Fort Irwin
SUSPECT: Rose Marie Schmittle (Tompkins), 24 years old, resident of Fort Irwin
SUMMARY:
On Thursday, June 7, 2018 at about 5:30 p.m. medical aid responded to Rhineland Dr. in Ft. Irwin following a 911 call reporting an unresponsive 4-year-old boy, Benjamin Schmittle. Benjamin was transported to the Base Hospital, then airlifted to Loma Linda University Medical Center due to the severity of his injuries. On Friday, June 8, 2018 at 5:20 p.m. he was pronounced deceased.
Sheriff’s Specialized Investigators were summoned to conduct the investigation. During their investigation, Detectives received information that Benjamin’s injuries were not accidental. Following interviews with family members, Rose Marie Schmittle (Benjamin’s step-mother) was arrested for murder and booked at West Valley Detention Center.
No additional information is available at this time. Updates will be issued if new information becomes available.
Anyone with information regarding this investigation is urged to contact Sheriff’s Homicide Detail, Detective David Lara at (909)387-3589. Callers wishing to remain anonymous are urged to call the We-tip Hotline at 1-800-78-CRIME (27463) or you may leave information on the We-Tip Hotline at www.wetip.com.
Refer: Detective David Lara or Sergeant Steve Pennington
Station: Sheriff’s Specialized Investigations – Homicide Detail
Phone No. (909)387-3589
Case No. DR#151800930 H#2018-048
John McMahon, Sheriff-Coroner
San Bernardino County Sheriff-Coroner Department
Address/Location
SBSD - Barstow Sheriff's Department
225 E Mountain View St
Barstow, CA 92311
Contact
Emergency: 9-1-1