Does the expert witness fit the crime? Injury to a child by starvation--a dietitian's testimony
Kloiber, L.L.
Journal of Forensic Sciences 49(1): 108-110
2004
ISSN/ISBN: 0022-1198 PMID: 14979354 Document Number: 567451
After the death of their four-month-old infant, the parents were charged with injury to a child by starvation. The medical examiner documented blunt force trauma and severe malnutrition at autopsy, but the cause of death was undetermined. The legal team hired a neonatal dietitian who was able to determine that impaired growth only occurred when the infant was in the care of his parents. This information, along with other testimony, established that the lack of nutrition compromised this infant's ability to grow and develop normally, and thus contributed to the infant's death. A jury found the father guilty of injury to a child with intent, and was sentenced to 50 years in prison. The mother agreed to a plea bargain serving 25 years. The purpose of this report is to offer insight, information, and facts from this case for the benefit of others.