Purple Hippie
Aug 9th, 2005, 08:33 PM
Teen Piercing Sparks Near-Fatal Infection
Tuesday August 9, 2005 5:01 AM
By BROOKE DONALD
Associated Press Writer
BOSTON (AP) - A 13-year-old was in critical condition and her mother faced criminal charges Monday for failing to get medical help after the girl's attempt to pierce her own belly button caused a severe infection lasting weeks.
By the time Deborah Robinson's daughter was taken to the hospital last week, the former middle school track runner weighed about 75 pounds and was near death, authorities said.
On Monday, two days after being arrested, Robinson, 38, appeared in court and was ordered to undergo evaluation by a psychiatrist to determine whether she's fit to stand trial.
She faces up to five years in prison on a charge of wantonly and recklessly permitting substantial bodily injury to a child under 14, and up to two years in prison on a child endangerment charge.
A court psychiatrist testified that Robinson had signs of paranoia and a distrust of doctors.
Full Story (http://www.guardian.co.uk/worldlatest/story/0,1280,-5199110,00.html)
Tuesday August 9, 2005 5:01 AM
By BROOKE DONALD
Associated Press Writer
BOSTON (AP) - A 13-year-old was in critical condition and her mother faced criminal charges Monday for failing to get medical help after the girl's attempt to pierce her own belly button caused a severe infection lasting weeks.
By the time Deborah Robinson's daughter was taken to the hospital last week, the former middle school track runner weighed about 75 pounds and was near death, authorities said.
On Monday, two days after being arrested, Robinson, 38, appeared in court and was ordered to undergo evaluation by a psychiatrist to determine whether she's fit to stand trial.
She faces up to five years in prison on a charge of wantonly and recklessly permitting substantial bodily injury to a child under 14, and up to two years in prison on a child endangerment charge.
A court psychiatrist testified that Robinson had signs of paranoia and a distrust of doctors.
Full Story (http://www.guardian.co.uk/worldlatest/story/0,1280,-5199110,00.html)