Angela Norman’s daughter Makayla died on March 1, 2011. She was 14 years old and weighed 28 pounds. She exhibited many signs of neglect, including numerous bedsores. The coroner’s office said that she died from nutritional and medical neglect complicated by a chronic condition – she had cerebral palsy.
Ken Betz, director of the coroner’s office, said Makayla was the “worst malnourished child this office has ever seen.”
Norman pleaded guilty to a felony count of first-degree involuntary manslaughter and to misdemeanor and felony counts of endangering children. She was sentenced to nine years in prison. The maximum sentence she could have received was ten years.
Three nurses – Mollie E. Parsons, Kathryn Williams and Mary K. Kilby – are also facing charges for failing to report the situation at the Norman household. Parsons’ job was to visit the home six days a week and administer care. Williams was Parsons’ supervisor, and Kilby was responsible for visiting the home every six months to assess living conditions and Makayla’s medical condition.
Parsons pleaded not guilty to charges of involuntary manslaughter, tampering with records and failing to provide for a functionally impaired person. Williams and Kilby pleaded not guilty to charges of failing to report child abuse or neglect and failing to provide for a functionally impaired person.
Children with cerebral palsy require extra care and attention in order to survive. How four adults allowed Makayla to just waste away is beyond us.
Cappolino Dodd Krebs, LLP – cerebral palsy attorneys
