Man Is Charged With Killing His Autistic Son

A man was charged with murder for allegedly stabbing his autistic son repeatedly with needle-nosed pliers, then dragging the boy to the side of a highway, where he was run over by a car.

Raymond Boothe, who has a history of problems with drugs, alcohol and mental illness, was charged with first-degree murder in the death of 11-year-old Levi Boothe.

Raymond Boothe told police in Leavenworth County he attacked the child because he thought the boy “had the devil in him,” Sheriff’s Maj. David Zoellner said. He said Boothe said, “I had to rid the family of him.”