Topline: Court records show the victim sought protection from her husband days before the double homicide, but the order had not been served at the time of the killings.
Published: March 31, 2026 3:56 pm ET
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Robert T. Child (via Mason County Sheriff's Office)
HOODSPORT, WA — A Washington woman was killed just one day after a judge granted her a protection order against her estranged husband, who is now charged in a double homicide.
Robert T. Child made his first court appearance Thursday after being charged with two counts of first-degree murder and one count of first-degree burglary, according to reporting from KING.
Authorities say he was taken into custody Wednesday at a gas station outside Shelton following a tip from the public, as reported by KIRO 7 News.
Deputies with the Mason County Sheriff’s Office were first called around 7 p.m. Tuesday to a home in Hoodsport for a reported disturbance and possible shooting, according to court documents obtained by FOX13 Seattle. A caller told dispatchers she heard gunfire and believed Child had shot his wife.
When deputies arrived, they found two people dead inside the residence. Investigators said 46-year-old Anna Child was located on a stairway with gunshot injuries, while 46-year-old Jason Hilde was found near the front door with a gunshot wound to the head. A shotgun and spent shells were recovered at the scene, according to court records.
Witness accounts included in charging documents describe a chaotic and frightening sequence of events. According to KING and FOX13 Seattle, multiple witnesses reported seeing Child leave the home in a white pickup truck. One witness told deputies that Child said he would not go back to jail and would kill anyone who came after him.
Another person inside the home told investigators that Child entered while armed with a shotgun, asked for someone inside, and that gunshots rang out shortly afterward, according to the same court documents.
The killings unfolded against the backdrop of a deteriorating relationship. Court records show Child and his wife were in the process of divorcing and that there was an active but unserved protection order against him at the time of the shooting. Anna Child had filed for the order on March 9, writing, “I don’t feel safe,” and adding that Child told her, “If he can’t have me, no one will.”
A judge granted the protection order just one day before the killings, barring Child from coming within 250 feet of his wife, according to KING and FOX13 Seattle. Mason County Sheriff Ryan Spurling said authorities had not yet had the opportunity to serve the order.
Investigators also noted in court documents that Child is a convicted felon and is not legally allowed to possess firearms.
The sheriff’s office launched an intensive search for Child in the hours following the shooting, warning the public he was considered armed and dangerous. According to updates posted by the Mason County Sheriff’s Office, deputies tracked leads, located vehicles believed to be connected to the case, and ultimately arrested Child without incident less than a day after the killings.
“It’s a huge relief, not only for the safety of our community but the safety of our officers and for the families,” Spurling said, according to KIRO 7.
Family members and friends of the victims are now grappling with the aftermath. “That was my best friend,” Erica Christiansen told KIRO 7 of one of the victims. “I can’t believe she’s gone.”
Anna Child’s brother, Bryce Gardella, remembered her as “such a joy and an amazing human, especially in this community,” adding that “she will be missed.” In a separate message reported by KIRO 7, Hilde’s ex-wife described him as a loving father and son and a loyal friend.
Friends and coworkers told KIRO 7 that Anna Child and Hilde worked together and that Anna and Robert Child had recently separated. A coworker also said Child had caused a disturbance at their workplace prior to the shooting, prompting Anna to seek a restraining order.
“Unfortunately, our worst nightmares came true,” the coworker told the outlet.
Sheriff Spurling said the agency has ordered a review into whether more could have been done before the killings, including the handling of the protection order. “We will be looking into that as part of the investigation,” he said, according to KIRO 7.
Authorities say the investigation remains ongoing as they continue to piece together the events leading up to the shooting.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
If you are experiencing domestic abuse, you are not alone. Help is available. Call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-7233 or text "START" to 88788 to connect with trained advocates 24/7. Support is free, confidential, and available in over 200 languages. You can also visit thehotline.org for more information and resources.
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Woman Killed Day After Protection Order Granted Against Husband
Court records show the victim sought protection from her husband days before the double homicide, but the order had not been served at the time of the killings.
By Jacob Charles
Published: March 31, 2026 3:56 pm ET
Robert T. Child (via Mason County Sheriff's Office)
HOODSPORT, WA — A Washington woman was killed just one day after a judge granted her a protection order against her estranged husband, who is now charged in a double homicide.
Robert T. Child made his first court appearance Thursday after being charged with two counts of first-degree murder and one count of first-degree burglary, according to reporting from KING.
Authorities say he was taken into custody Wednesday at a gas station outside Shelton following a tip from the public, as reported by KIRO 7 News.
Deputies with the Mason County Sheriff’s Office were first called around 7 p.m. Tuesday to a home in Hoodsport for a reported disturbance and possible shooting, according to court documents obtained by FOX13 Seattle. A caller told dispatchers she heard gunfire and believed Child had shot his wife.
When deputies arrived, they found two people dead inside the residence. Investigators said 46-year-old Anna Child was located on a stairway with gunshot injuries, while 46-year-old Jason Hilde was found near the front door with a gunshot wound to the head. A shotgun and spent shells were recovered at the scene, according to court records.
Witness accounts included in charging documents describe a chaotic and frightening sequence of events. According to KING and FOX13 Seattle, multiple witnesses reported seeing Child leave the home in a white pickup truck. One witness told deputies that Child said he would not go back to jail and would kill anyone who came after him.
Another person inside the home told investigators that Child entered while armed with a shotgun, asked for someone inside, and that gunshots rang out shortly afterward, according to the same court documents.
The killings unfolded against the backdrop of a deteriorating relationship. Court records show Child and his wife were in the process of divorcing and that there was an active but unserved protection order against him at the time of the shooting. Anna Child had filed for the order on March 9, writing, “I don’t feel safe,” and adding that Child told her, “If he can’t have me, no one will.”
A judge granted the protection order just one day before the killings, barring Child from coming within 250 feet of his wife, according to KING and FOX13 Seattle. Mason County Sheriff Ryan Spurling said authorities had not yet had the opportunity to serve the order.
Investigators also noted in court documents that Child is a convicted felon and is not legally allowed to possess firearms.
The sheriff’s office launched an intensive search for Child in the hours following the shooting, warning the public he was considered armed and dangerous. According to updates posted by the Mason County Sheriff’s Office, deputies tracked leads, located vehicles believed to be connected to the case, and ultimately arrested Child without incident less than a day after the killings.
“It’s a huge relief, not only for the safety of our community but the safety of our officers and for the families,” Spurling said, according to KIRO 7.
Family members and friends of the victims are now grappling with the aftermath. “That was my best friend,” Erica Christiansen told KIRO 7 of one of the victims. “I can’t believe she’s gone.”
Anna Child’s brother, Bryce Gardella, remembered her as “such a joy and an amazing human, especially in this community,” adding that “she will be missed.” In a separate message reported by KIRO 7, Hilde’s ex-wife described him as a loving father and son and a loyal friend.
Friends and coworkers told KIRO 7 that Anna Child and Hilde worked together and that Anna and Robert Child had recently separated. A coworker also said Child had caused a disturbance at their workplace prior to the shooting, prompting Anna to seek a restraining order.
“Unfortunately, our worst nightmares came true,” the coworker told the outlet.
Sheriff Spurling said the agency has ordered a review into whether more could have been done before the killings, including the handling of the protection order. “We will be looking into that as part of the investigation,” he said, according to KIRO 7.
Authorities say the investigation remains ongoing as they continue to piece together the events leading up to the shooting.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
If you are experiencing domestic abuse, you are not alone. Help is available. Call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-7233 or text "START" to 88788 to connect with trained advocates 24/7. Support is free, confidential, and available in over 200 languages. You can also visit thehotline.org for more information and resources.
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Editor Picks
Latest Articles
Woman Killed Day After Protection Order Granted Against Husband
Court records show the victim sought protection from her husband days before the double homicide, but the order had not been served at the time of the killings.
By Jacob Charles
Published: March 31, 2026 3:56 pm ET
Robert T. Child (via Mason County Sheriff's Office)
HOODSPORT, WA — A Washington woman was killed just one day after a judge granted her a protection order against her estranged husband, who is now charged in a double homicide.
Robert T. Child made his first court appearance Thursday after being charged with two counts of first-degree murder and one count of first-degree burglary, according to reporting from KING.
Authorities say he was taken into custody Wednesday at a gas station outside Shelton following a tip from the public, as reported by KIRO 7 News.
Deputies with the Mason County Sheriff’s Office were first called around 7 p.m. Tuesday to a home in Hoodsport for a reported disturbance and possible shooting, according to court documents obtained by FOX13 Seattle. A caller told dispatchers she heard gunfire and believed Child had shot his wife.
When deputies arrived, they found two people dead inside the residence. Investigators said 46-year-old Anna Child was located on a stairway with gunshot injuries, while 46-year-old Jason Hilde was found near the front door with a gunshot wound to the head. A shotgun and spent shells were recovered at the scene, according to court records.
Witness accounts included in charging documents describe a chaotic and frightening sequence of events. According to KING and FOX13 Seattle, multiple witnesses reported seeing Child leave the home in a white pickup truck. One witness told deputies that Child said he would not go back to jail and would kill anyone who came after him.
Another person inside the home told investigators that Child entered while armed with a shotgun, asked for someone inside, and that gunshots rang out shortly afterward, according to the same court documents.
The killings unfolded against the backdrop of a deteriorating relationship. Court records show Child and his wife were in the process of divorcing and that there was an active but unserved protection order against him at the time of the shooting. Anna Child had filed for the order on March 9, writing, “I don’t feel safe,” and adding that Child told her, “If he can’t have me, no one will.”
A judge granted the protection order just one day before the killings, barring Child from coming within 250 feet of his wife, according to KING and FOX13 Seattle. Mason County Sheriff Ryan Spurling said authorities had not yet had the opportunity to serve the order.
Investigators also noted in court documents that Child is a convicted felon and is not legally allowed to possess firearms.
The sheriff’s office launched an intensive search for Child in the hours following the shooting, warning the public he was considered armed and dangerous. According to updates posted by the Mason County Sheriff’s Office, deputies tracked leads, located vehicles believed to be connected to the case, and ultimately arrested Child without incident less than a day after the killings.
“It’s a huge relief, not only for the safety of our community but the safety of our officers and for the families,” Spurling said, according to KIRO 7.
Family members and friends of the victims are now grappling with the aftermath. “That was my best friend,” Erica Christiansen told KIRO 7 of one of the victims. “I can’t believe she’s gone.”
Anna Child’s brother, Bryce Gardella, remembered her as “such a joy and an amazing human, especially in this community,” adding that “she will be missed.” In a separate message reported by KIRO 7, Hilde’s ex-wife described him as a loving father and son and a loyal friend.
Friends and coworkers told KIRO 7 that Anna Child and Hilde worked together and that Anna and Robert Child had recently separated. A coworker also said Child had caused a disturbance at their workplace prior to the shooting, prompting Anna to seek a restraining order.
“Unfortunately, our worst nightmares came true,” the coworker told the outlet.
Sheriff Spurling said the agency has ordered a review into whether more could have been done before the killings, including the handling of the protection order. “We will be looking into that as part of the investigation,” he said, according to KIRO 7.
Authorities say the investigation remains ongoing as they continue to piece together the events leading up to the shooting.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
If you are experiencing domestic abuse, you are not alone. Help is available. Call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-7233 or text "START" to 88788 to connect with trained advocates 24/7. Support is free, confidential, and available in over 200 languages. You can also visit thehotline.org for more information and resources.
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