News Article: Maricopa County Attorney’s Office declines to prosecute Gilbert mother over child’s death
The Maricopa County Attorney’s Office has announced that they won’t be pressing charges against a Gilbert mother and another individual following the death of the woman’s 22-month-old child in 2023. The child’s death was attributed to natural causes by the county medical examiner, leading to the decision not to prosecute.
Background
The mother had been accused of neglect by law enforcement officials and was said to have routinely fed her child a vegan diet that was deficient in nutrients. However, the medical examiner’s report found no evidence that the child’s diet had contributed to his death.
Medical Examiner’s Findings
The medical examiner’s report concluded that the child had died of natural causes due to complications related to an underlying medical condition that had not been previously diagnosed. The specific cause of death was an intestinal obstruction that was likely present from birth.
Child Protective Services Investigation
Child Protective Services had previously investigated the family and had determined that the child was not at risk of neglect or abuse. The CPS report found the child was well-fed and showed no signs of malnutrition or developmental delays.
Attorney’s Decision
The decision by the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office not to prosecute comes as a relief to the mother, who had vehemently denied any wrongdoing in the wake of her child’s death. The woman’s attorney praised the decision, stating that it was clear from the beginning that the mother had done nothing wrong.
Criticism
While many are pleased with the outcome of the case, some have criticized the child protective services policy of allowing parents to avoid vaccinations and feed their children vegan diets. Some argue that parents should be required to provide their children with a certain level of nutrition and healthcare, and that the policy leaves children at risk.
Conclusion
The Maricopa County Attorney’s Office decision not to prosecute the Gilbert mother over her child’s death underscores the importance of thorough investigations into the cause of death in criminal cases. It also highlights the need for policies that ensure that children are provided with basic nutrition and medical care.
Maricopa,Child-Maricopa County Attorney’s Office declines to prosecute Gilbert mother over child’s death* This article was originally published here
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