Mother Accused of Murdering Son

For prosecutors in Gloucester County, the case defies explanation. A Franklin Township couple adopted six children from Russia. Now, the stepmother is charged with killing one of them. James Lindorff/accused: "You'll hear our side of the story from the court trial."

Accused child abuser James Lindorff says authorities have it all wrong. The 52-year-old Franklin Township man is accused of beating his five-year-old adopted son. His wife, 37-year-old Heather Lindorff, is accused of beating the same boy to death.

James Lindorff/accused: "He was not murdered. I believe when other events are brought to light, that you'll have more information on that." Investigators say Heather Lindorff beat the child back on December 14th at the couple's Victoria Avenue home. The boy died at a nearby hospital. After an extensive investigation, and results from an autopsy claimed the boy died from blunt force trauma, police arrested the Lindorffs Tuesday morning.

Heather Lindorff, who is being held on $1-million dollars bail at the county women's facility in Clarksboro, is charged with first-degree murder. It is alleged James Lindorff had beaten the same child on previous occasions, and is out on bail, facing a child abuse charge.

The Lindorffs had a total of six children they adopted from Russia. The five-year-old victim, his twin brother, and their older seven-year-old brother were adopted and brought to the U.S. less than four months ago. The Lindorffs had also adopted three young girls from Russia at an earlier date. All five remaining children have been in state custody since the boy died.

James Lindorff, intends to clear his family's name.

James Lindorff/accused: "I don't have anything really to say to you, or anything else, so you'll have to get your other stuff, you'll have to get from other agencies and so forth." Prosecutors want to know if those other children were victims of abuse. There is no evidence at this point, but officials with the Department of Youth and Family Services are investigating.

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Author: 6 ABC-AP