FL - Boy, 3, found hooked to ventilator w/no pulse rotting in bed *GRAPHIC*, Bartow, 26 May 2023 *arrests*

The first birthday is the most common "yay, can walk!" mental deadline imho. Most babies learn to walk between 9 months of age and 18 months of age. My friend has a one year old and he is totally capable not only walking into a pool, but also picking up items on the way and taking these along, too, for good measure.
I appreciate the input! My own milestones with crawling/walking were really messed up due to my physical disabilities (never crawled, walked at 20 months iirc) and I don't have kids/close friends with kids so I wasn't sure what the average age for that sort of thing was. So I guess it's possible the near-drowning was a freak accident.
 
Sorry if this has been covered, but why, Why, WHY was this child at home on a ventilator???
Why wasn't this child in a hospital or long-term care facility specializing in breathing tube cases??

Taking care of people being ventilated takes round the clock care from specialists.
What has happened to our healthcare system???
 
Sorry if this has been covered, but why, Why, WHY was this child at home on a ventilator???
Why wasn't this child in a hospital or long-term care facility specializing in breathing tube cases??

Taking care of people being ventilated takes round the clock care from specialists.
What has happened to our healthcare system???

I expect that there was extended family & friends who offered support to the parents at the time -- but after the pandemic & years of care, that help is over.

Media reports the home health nurse was ignored or turned away from the home!

jmho of course
 
I am wondering if the mother took advantage of the "Care at Home" program, different states have different programs, they actually pay the home caregiver cash.

The sad part, is that the parents could have given up the child to permanent foster care, he probably would have been set up in a nursing home. But, they wouldn't have been eligible for any benefits.
 
Sadly, I wonder if this was the parents "pulling the plug." It seems it was suggested years earlier when the hospital determined he had no brain activity (brain dead). It could be the parents finally accepted he was dead. If they did, this is not how they should have handled it.
 
According to the linked articles the home care nurse was turned away "a few weeks" before this child found and reported.

The decubiti as described did not occur in only 2 or 3 weeks time. It would take several, several months IMO (as a former direct care provider).

Something's really off about this.
 
This case illuminates that fundamental question debated for decades: is a disabled child better off with (subsidized) biological family, or is he or she better off in a controlled institutional enviroment? The pendulum has swung hard for the former. We like as Americans this idea that family cares for family, will care for, can care for … that idea is beautiful right up until it is absolute garbage.

I am sorry, deeply sorry, as an American taxpaying woman, that this little one was left to suffer with these excuses for humanity and wasn’t cared for in a dedicated medical environment. I am embarrassed as an American woman that we left this little one in this house when we all could’ve predicted. I hope the social workers involved are awake in their beds tonight.
 
This case illuminates that fundamental question debated for decades: is a disabled child better off with (subsidized) biological family, or is he or she better off in a controlled institutional enviroment? The pendulum has swung hard for the former. We like as Americans this idea that family cares for family, will care for, can care for … that idea is beautiful right up until it is absolute garbage.

I am sorry, deeply sorry, as an American taxpaying woman, that this little one was left to suffer with these excuses for humanity and wasn’t cared for in a dedicated medical environment. I am embarrassed as an American woman that we left this little one in this house when we all could’ve predicted. I hope the social workers involved are awake in their beds tonight.
Except the parents were advised that he was completely brain dead and that they should stop life support years ago.
 
Why can't the DA subpoena the home health nurse, treating physician and relevant care team to testify to the little guy's condition? I don't believe HIPPA applies in this case.
above bold by me
I don't think HIPAA would apply in these kinds of situations -- we've seen here, and watched some trials where other horrible abuse cases were presented in court, etc.
This situation is way-up-there in horrors, IMO, and we have seen some very bad cases.
JMHO - Hoping these two people only see a bright shining sun through prison bars for a long, long time. SMH.
 
Wow. Really though, it seems like this family couldn't handle a child with multiple impairments. No judgement from me. They were overwhelmed or just didn't know what to do...it is important to not expect people to take care of a multiply impaired child, if they can't do it....

I agree. Providing around the clock care can lead to caregiver fatigue and burn-out. People cope through indifference. Add additional children and I am guessing the family was overwhelmed. It is also extremely easy for bed bound patient's to decompensate and wounds can form extremely quickly.

And, let me add, this kid was not getting "free Health care"! Florida Medicaid has spent literally hundreds of thousands of dollars on rental of the specialized medical beds, 2 ventilators,feeding pump,oxygen,suction and salary for around-the-clock nursing care (required for a ventilator patient)...at least until Mom saw dollar signs and fired the nursing agency.

Respectfully and IMOO. Yes, in home care can be costly. Equipment is usually rented, though Medicaid has very low reimbursement rates. People don't get a blank check to hire care workers or pay for equipment. Just like you don't get a chunk of money from your insurance company, then pay your doctor for visits. That is not how it works. Mom did not get to "keep money" intended for the Nurse. Mom didn't make "money" saving on the nurse. I am not condoning what occurred, but mom didn't profit from this.

Also, When did rental of equipment used at home, ie oxygen end?

No, when the nurse stopped coming, the equipment aka Durable Medical Equipment (DME) doesn't end. This is ordered through a provider, usually with 99 month need (insurance requirement). It is renewed every couple of years or so. With a vented child, most likely annually through specialists.

Sorry if this has been covered, but why, Why, WHY was this child at home on a ventilator???
Why wasn't this child in a hospital or long-term care facility specializing in breathing tube cases??

Taking care of people being ventilated takes round the clock care from specialists.
What has happened to our healthcare system???

Many people are able to go home on ventilators. It is no longer considered a reason to "institutionalize" people. Once stable, there is no medical necessity to stay in a hospital. There are long-term care facilities for vented patients, though unsure about pediatric cases near where they live. People want to be near loved ones. Often people will take a family member home unaware of the sheer amount of dedication, care, and energy that goes into providing care. It is a slippery slope and even well meaning people can end up in situations such as this. Family member cam also successfully manage people at home on vents as well.
 
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I am wondering if the mother took advantage of the "Care at Home" program, different states have different programs, they actually pay the home caregiver cash.

The sad part, is that the parents could have given up the child to permanent foster care, he probably would have been set up in a nursing home. But, they wouldn't have been eligible for any benefits.
above bolded by me
Yep, that's it -- keep the money rolling in. Grrrrrr. :-(
 
This case illuminates that fundamental question debated for decades: is a disabled child better off with (subsidized) biological family, or is he or she better off in a controlled institutional enviroment? The pendulum has swung hard for the former. We like as Americans this idea that family cares for family, will care for, can care for … that idea is beautiful right up until it is absolute garbage.

I am sorry, deeply sorry, as an American taxpaying woman, that this little one was left to suffer with these excuses for humanity and wasn’t cared for in a dedicated medical environment. I am embarrassed as an American woman that we left this little one in this house when we all could’ve predicted. I hope the social workers involved are awake in their beds tonight.

I’d like to think this is a very rare situation and I probably don’t want to hear the truth.
 
Detectives say the child had extensive injuries, including a severely bloated belly, numerous open sores and his colon was visible. They added there were several abrasions on the child’s back consistent with bed sores and he smelled of decomposition.

"This child was rotting in the bed," stated Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd.

"They just got tired of him," Judd added. "They got tired of the intensive care this child needed and as a result, this child laid there and suffered and suffered and suffered until finally there was no life left."



I am in no way condoning what has occurred, but I will say this Sheriff is completely out of line with speculation, opinions, and pretty damning conclusions. Sensational media and grandstanding. Totally inappropriate and with spotty medical accuracy. I highly doubt these people will not get a fair trial.

Polk County has a history of racism, destruction of black communities thorough imminent domain and commercialization resulting in poverty through lose of generational wealth. Disenfranchised. Hopefully the venue is moved.

Caring for a disabled love one is exhausting, overwhelming, and a slippery slope. It is easy for things to snowball within days or a week. People become situationally blind and poor care occurs. We need to know more about the situation of them bringing him home. Were there no other options? They cared for him very well for a long time. What occurred?

I will say, a visiting nurse popping by a couple times a week is NOT the reason this child was so well taken care of for so long. Not by a long shot.

 
Detectives say the child had extensive injuries, including a severely bloated belly, numerous open sores and his colon was visible. They added there were several abrasions on the child’s back consistent with bed sores and he smelled of decomposition.

"This child was rotting in the bed," stated Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd.

"They just got tired of him," Judd added. "They got tired of the intensive care this child needed and as a result, this child laid there and suffered and suffered and suffered until finally there was no life left."



I am in no way condoning what has occurred, but I will say this Sheriff is completely out of line with speculation, opinions, and pretty damning conclusions. Sensational media and grandstanding. Totally inappropriate and with spotty medical accuracy. I highly doubt these people will not get a fair trial.

Polk County has a history of racism, destruction of black communities thorough imminent domain and commercialization resulting in poverty through lose of generational wealth. Disenfranchised. Hopefully the venue is moved.

Caring for a disabled love one is exhausting, overwhelming, and a slippery slope. It is easy for things to snowball within days or a week. People become situationally blind and poor care occurs. We need to know more about the situation of them bringing him home. Were there no other options? They cared for him very well for a long time. What occurred?

I will say, a visiting nurse popping by a couple times a week is NOT the reason this child was so well taken care of for so long. Not by a long shot.


Agreed. I’ve seen him with other cases too.
 
This case illuminates that fundamental question debated for decades: is a disabled child better off with (subsidized) biological family, or is he or she better off in a controlled institutional enviroment? The pendulum has swung hard for the former. We like as Americans this idea that family cares for family, will care for, can care for … that idea is beautiful right up until it is absolute garbage.

I am sorry, deeply sorry, as an American taxpaying woman, that this little one was left to suffer with these excuses for humanity and wasn’t cared for in a dedicated medical environment. I am embarrassed as an American woman that we left this little one in this house when we all could’ve predicted. I hope the social workers involved are awake in their beds tonight.

This can also occur in medical facilities or controlled environments. In fact, in a medical facility the child had a higher rate of risk due to nosocomial infection and other factors. Vented patients get ill and have breakdown very quickly in many settings. Perhaps, he might not have lived this long if in a facility, if one was available.

Given the catastrophic nature of his existing condition, requiring a vent meaning profound brain damage, including the brain stem, the trajectory of his life would be abbreviated regardless. The ethical debate is more what is quality of life and that is subjective. They cared for him extremely well for quite some time.
 
above bolded by me
Yep, that's it -- keep the money rolling in. Grrrrrr. :-(

A lot of it is that people don't want to be judged by some social worker, who set up everything to take their catastrophically disabled child home. "Here, we are going to fix it all up, with Medicaid, housing, Social Security...".

The problem is with multiply impaired children, is that the focus is "save the child", people don't see the reality of taking care of a medically fragile child who has severe multiple disabilities.

This is what happens when no one asked the parents, if they really wanted this responsibility...
 
I came across this article, but am having trouble parsing exactly what the victim suffered, if anything?


To my thinking, this means "brain dead" and thus beyond feeling any pain. So whatever horrific abuse / neglect his parents committed, it's only abuse of a corpse.
OTOH:

I'm sure they weren't providing medical care to a corpse, so someone must've had objective reason the victim had a chance of getting better?

OTOOH...if brain dead isn't as all-dead as I've understood it to be, why are we so quick to remove life support?


Did the baby suffer? Or was he already far beyond that?
Can someone medically inclined weigh in?


I must admit the circumstances of this, as reported, make me really hope brain dead is all-dead.

You raise profound questions @UrsulaWrenn. I don’t have answers, but I was motivated to try to understand more about “brain death.” From what I can find, brain death is not definitely “all-dead” as you put it.

This case is tragic and it reminded me of Jahi McMath who was declared brain dead at the end of 2013 after a tonsillectomy. Her mother would not accept this, was vilified, and ultimately Jahi and her mother moved to NJ which has different standards. Her mother cared for her meticulously and Jahi officially died in June 2018. In one sense, it was a little creepy to keep Jahi alive and paint her toenails as her Mom did, but in another sense I understand her devotion and hope for a recovery. It happens.


I did some digging regarding declaring someone “brain dead” and discovered this fascinating, ethically and morally alarming history. This was written by a physician and “moral theologian,” apparently Catholic FWIW. But it discusses in depth how “brain death” came to be defined by medical professionals. It’s medically deeper in terminology than I can fully grasp, but worth reading to understand the highlights.


And this one by a Catholic priest regarding a brain-dead child who survived for 20 years, mostly cared for at home.


So as @LucyOso pointed out, the family cared for this child very well for some time. Perhaps they hoped he would recover. But by the time they realized it was all too much, the damage had been done. Now their fear of losing their two other children has come true. I feel horrible for everyone in this family.

JMO
 

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