A 60-year-old Washington State man remains in custody following the fatal shooting of his estranged wife and her partner, an incident authorities characterize as a violent escalation of domestic abuse. The killings occurred less than 24 hours after a Mason County judge granted the female victim a formal protection order against the suspect.
Robert T. Child faces two counts of first-degree murder and one count of burglary in connection with the deaths of Anna Child, 46, and Jason Hilde, 46. The Mason County Sheriff’s Office responded to the Hoodsport residence early Wednesday, March 25, discovering both victims deceased from apparent gunshot wounds.
Following a brief manhunt, deputies apprehended Robert Child later that day. The Mason County Coroner’s Office officially identified the victims after the Sheriff’s Office initially withheld their names during the preliminary investigation.
Court records obtained from Mason County reveal a harrowing timeline of alleged domestic intimidation. Anna Child filed for a protection order earlier this month, asserting that her estranged husband treated her as “a possession.”
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In her filing, she detailed a specific, chilling threat, alleging that Robert told her, “if he can’t have me, no one will.” A judge signed the protection order the day before the homicides, intended to provide a legal barrier between the suspect and the victims.
The investigation is bolstered by witness testimony from neighbor Caleb McGill. McGill told investigators he heard gunshots and observed Robert Child fleeing the residence.
According to McGill, when he confronted the suspect during a 911 call, asking what had occurred, Child allegedly claimed the couple had pointed a weapon at him first. The Sheriff’s Office has not corroborated this claim of self-defense, and the suspect currently faces premeditated murder charges.
While the motive remains under investigation, the burglary charge suggests the suspect forced entry into the home. It is currently unclear if Robert Child has retained legal counsel or entered a formal plea. He is being held as the Mason County Prosecutor’s Office prepares its case.
The tragedy underscores the volatile nature of domestic transition periods, particularly in the immediate aftermath of court-ordered interventions.
