Mother, who refused to exercise reasonable diligence, cruelly punished her disabled son by slowly starving him and left him in a near-fatal condition; arrested!
According to police records, a 39-year-old woman, later identified as Sheena, has been arrested for allegedly severely neglecting her disabled son, leading to a near-fatal condition due to starvation. Sheena faces serious charges, including first-degree assault, first-degree criminal abuse, and endangering the welfare of a minor. These charges stem from allegations that she nearly starved her “physically helpless” son to the brink of death.
The situation came to light when a social worker at the hospital where the disabled boy was admitted contacted the police department on January 17. Sheena’s son had been admitted to the hospital on January 11 for a bedsore. However, as doctors began treating him, they discovered that he was suffering from severe malnutrition. There was also concern that he might have developed refeeding syndrome, a potentially fatal condition occurring in malnourished patients receiving artificial refeeding, especially after having negligible food intake for an extended period.
According to the arrest report, Sheena subjected her son to “cruel punishment and torture” through starvation, exhibiting “extreme indifference to the value of human life.” The report further stated that Sheena “failed or refused to exercise reasonable diligence” in preventing her son from becoming neglected, leading to his critical condition. Following her arrest, Sheena was taken to jail, with her bond set at $25,000. Authorities confirmed that the case remains under active investigation, and no further comments were made at the time. Sheena is scheduled for a court hearing on February 6.
This case has brought to light the severe consequences of parental neglect, particularly for children with disabilities who are dependent on their caregivers. It raises important concerns about the welfare and protection of vulnerable children and the responsibility of parents and guardians to ensure their well-being.
