STORY: "Pa. (Pennsylvania) mom stripped of 2nd child over abuse says injuries were 'genetic,' by reporter John Luciew, published by Penn Live on August 16, 2016.
PHOTO CAPTION: "Either this bizarre Berks County case is a gross
instance of alleged child abuse -- or it is a baffling medical mystery.
The answer may hold the key to whether a Pennsylvania mom gets her two
young boys back.The mother, Jessica Battiato, is pictured with her first
son, Caesar, taken by county officials several months ago with multiple
bone fractures."
GIST: 6ABC in Philly reports that
a second child has been taken from his mother. The woman, Jessica
Battiato, is fighting back against Berks County Children and Youth for
custody of both of her children. According to 6ABC, Battiato's first child was taken two months ago
after the 1-year-old boy was found to have 20 fractures across his body.
The mom claims the injuries were caused by a rare genetic disorder. The disorder, called Ehlers Danlos Syndrome and coupled with a lack
of Vitamin D, could cause fragile bones and mimic child abuse, the
mother and her doctor claim, 6ABC notes in its detailed report. But as the battle to regain her first son, Caesar, was ongoing, Battiato had a second child in late April, allegedly in secret. In an interview with Battiato, she tells 6ABC she gave birth in
Lancaster County -- out of the watchful eye of the Berks County
authorities. The second baby was taken by Berks County Children and
Youth official only after Battiato applied for state aid for
then-seven-month-old Julius. Since then, hospital records show that Julius has a fracture on his
right tibia, which Berks County apparently believes is child abuse,
according to 6ABC. Berks County Children and Youth officials tell 6ABC they are legally barred from commenting on the case. Meanwhile, the mother is vowing to keep up the fight for both of her
children, buoyed by the expert opinions of her doctor, Dr. Michael
Holick at Boston University. 6ABC identifies him as a specialist who
diagnosed both Battiato and her first child with EDS and Vitamin D
insufficiency -- and who adds it's likely Julius has the condition as
well. "I wouldn't hesitate to have the children returned to the parents," Holick told 6ABC.
The entire story can be found at:
http://www.pennlive.com/news/2016/08/pa_mom_stripped_of_2nd_child_o.html
PUBLISHER'S NOTE:
I am monitoring this case. Keep your eye on the Charles Smith Blog for reports on developments.
The
Toronto Star, my previous employer for more than twenty
incredible years, has put considerable effort into exposing the
harm caused by Dr. Charles Smith and his protectors - and into
pushing for reform of Ontario's forensic pediatric pathology
system. The Star has a "topic" section which focuses on recent
stories related to Dr. Charles Smith. It can be found at:
http://www.thestar.com/topic/charlessmith
Information on "The Charles Smith Blog Award"- and its nomination process - can be found at:
http://smithforensic.blogspot.com/2011/05/charles-smith-blog-award-nominations.html
Please
send any comments or information on other cases and issues of
interest to the readers of this blog to: hlevy15@gmail.com
Harold Levy: Publisher; The Charles Smith Blog;
