Location: USA – Page 54 – Disability Day of Mourning

Jeffrey Franklin

Name: Jeffrey “JR” Franklin.
Died: March 1, 2017.
Age at death: 16.
Cause of death: Homicide.
Location: Guilford, New York, USA.
Disability: Deaf; autism; developmental delay; mobility impaired.

Details:
Jeffrey had been adopted when he was about nine or ten years old.

Jeffrey’s adoptive parents killed him because he was “becoming too much to handle”. Then they burned down their trailer to try to hide the evidence.

Jeffrey liked watching 3D movies. He liked cartoons and as a child he had worn the mustache from his Mario Halloween costume to school for a month. He liked trains and had a toy train set.

Case status:
Heather Franklin (Adoptive mother), pleaded guilty to first-degree manslaughter, third-degree arson and tampering with physical evidence, sentenced to 7-11 years.
Ernest Franklin (Adoptive father), convicted of second-degree murder, third-degree arson and tampering with physical evidence, sentenced to 21 years to life.

Cameron Hoopingarner

Photo of Cameron Hoopengarner, a baby with fair skin, wearing a Santa Claus costume. Name: Cameron Hoopingarner.
Died: February 21, 2017.
Age at death: 9.
Cause of death: Malnutrition.
Location: Vigo County, Indiana, USA.
Disability: Cerebral palsy, blindness.

Details:
Cameron was starved to death by his legal guardians. They fed him very little, mostly baby food, and refused to take him to a doctor. When he died, he weighed less than 15 pounds. He and his two brothers, who survived, all tested positive for methamphetamine.

Case status:
Robin Kraemer (Guardian), convicted of nine counts of neglect, sentenced to 24 to 36 1/2 years in prison.
Sarah Travoli (Housemate), pleaded guilty to neglect of a dependent, sentenced to 4 years in jail, 2 years house arrest, and 2 years probation.
Chad Kraemer (Housemate), pleaded guilty to three counts of child neglect, sentenced to 2 years house arrest and 2 years probation.
Hubert Kraemer (Guardian), pleaded guilty to neglect of a dependent resulting in death, sentenced to 8 years in prison and 4 years probation.

Source:
Sarah Travioli receives sentence for her part in child neglect death
Court upholds sentence in child starvation death
Blind boy, 9, with cerebral palsy dies from starvation weighing just 15 pounds
‘Worst autopsy of my career’
Suspects facing additional charges in 9-year-old’s death after testing positive for drugs
Suspects arrested in connection with 9-year-old’s malnutrition death test positive for drugs
4 charged in death of 9-year-old boy with cerebral palsy
Drug charges added in child-death case
Four arrested in starvation death of 9-year-old Indiana boy
Four suspects arrested for death of 9-year-old face additional charges after testing positive for drugs
Following tragic death family friend details relationship between guardians and 9-year-old boy
4 arrested in death of 9-year-old weighing under 15 pounds
4 arrested after 15-pound 9-year-old boy with cerebral palsy dies
Boy In Starvation Case Pictured As Doctor Reveals 9-Year-Old’s Alleged Nightmare Of Neglect
4 charged after 15-pound boy, 9, dies
Child-death suspects could face 40 years in prison if convicted
Little boy starved to death looked like an Auschwitz victim when he was found
Child Death Suspects in Court
Blind boy with cerebral palsy starved to death
4 arrested for starving Vigo County boy to death
4 arrested in connection to death of malnourished child
4 arrested in death of 9-year-old Indiana boy with cerebral palsy
4 arrested after death of 9-year-old Indiana boy weighing only 15 pounds
Little food, no medical care for disabled boy who died of starvation
Four arrested in starvation death of 9-year-old boy weighing 15lbs
Court docs: 9-year-old Vigo Co. boy weighed 14.8 pounds when he died, lived on baby food
Four Arrested After 9-Year-Old Weighing Just 15 Lbs. Dies
Four arrested in starvation death of 9-year-old boy
4 Arrested in Connection To Malnourished Boy’s Death
Four Arrested In Connection With Death Of 9 Year Old Child
Indiana family charged after 9-year-old boy with cerebral palsy starves to death
4 arrested after 9-year-old dies weighing 15 lbs. in Vigo County
New Details Released In Death Of 9-Year-Old
Child Starvation Death Suspects Face More Charges
Autopsy shows Vigo County 9-year-old who starved to death had methamphetamine in his system
Coroner: Vigo Co. 9-Year-Old Who Died of Starvation Had Meth in System
Four face additional charges in neglect case after autopsy shows 9-year-old boy had meth in system
Vigo Co. couple accused of starving 5-year-old daughter to death
4 Charged In Disabled Boy’s Death Face New Charges
Additional Charges Filed In Death Of 9-Year-Old Vigo Co. Boy
4 charged in starvation death of Indiana boy who had meth in his system
Four Accused in Child’s Death Now Facing Additional Charges
Boy, 9, Who Weighed Less Than 15 Pounds When He Died of Starvation Had Meth in System: Autopsy
4 charged after 15-pound boy, 9, died with meth in system
Autopsy finds meth in system of boy, 9, who weighed 15 pounds
Doctor Said Abuse Case Is ‘Most Disturbing’ He’s Ever Seen—The Look on Boy’s Face in Photo Says It All
Funeral donations for Indiana child starved to death will help other kids
Four Charged After Blind Boy Dies Of Starvation
Indiana woman convicted of neglect in death of 15-pound boy
Guardian says she was overwhelmed caring for boy who died
Guardian convicted of neglect in death of boy, 9, who weighed 15lbs
Indiana woman sentenced in death of 15-pound 9-year-old
Defendant in child’s starvation death pleads guilty
Woman faces prison after plea in malnourished boy’s death
Man gets prison time after plea in malnourished boy’s death
Fourth defendant in malnourished boy’s death reaches plea
4th defendant in malnourished boy’s death get prison

Brandon Strauss

Photo of Brandon Strauss. He is a teenage boy with fair skin. He is wearing a striped polo shirt and his hair is hidden under his bulky helmet. He is leaning on something off to the right of the picture. Name: Brandon Strauss.
Died: February 20, 2017.
Age at death: 21.
Cause of death: Polymicrobial gram negative sepsis, drug intoxication and medical neglect.
Location: Las Vegas, Nevada, USA.
Disability: Down syndrome, epilepsy, autism.

Details:
Brandon was badly burned in the shower over 12% of his body. His parents say that while his father was washing him, he had a seizure in the shower and accidentally turned on the hot water, causing second- and third-degree burns. Brandon’s parents covered the burns with ointment and bandages; but they did not seek medical attention.

As several days passed and the burns began to look worse, Brandon’s parents put off taking him to the emergency room–until one morning they found him dead. On autopsy, he was found to have dangerous levels of medication in his body.

Case status:
Yolanda Strauss (Adoptive mother), charged with murder and abuse of a vulnerable person, charges dropped.
Ross Strauss (Adoptive father), charged with murder and abuse of a vulnerable person, charges dropped.

Source:
Autism Memorial: Brandon Strauss
Murder charges against Las Vegas couple dismissed
Las Vegas couple charged with murdering their special needs son, 21
Couple charged with murder in death of their special needs son
Pair face murder charges in Vegas man’s Feb dying – Vegas Review-Journal
Las Vegas couple are charged with murdering their 21-year-old adopted special needs son who was found with lethal levels of medication in his system
Las Vegas couple face murder charge in death of special-needs son
Pair face murder charges in Las Vegas man’s February death
Las Vegas couple suspected in death of their special-needs son indicted

Walter Clark

Name: Walter Mack Clark.
Died: February 17, 2017.
Age at death: 63.
Cause of death: Multiple blunt force trauma.
Location: Washington DC, USA.
Disability: Diabetes, partial amputation of foot, chronic illness.

Details:
Walter was beaten to death by his girlfriend with a baseball bat.

He was a retired cook.

Case status:
Thomasine Bennett (Girlfriend), pled guilty to voluntary manslaughter, sentenced to 10 years.

Source:
District Woman Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison For Fatally Beating Man at Her Apartment
Woman, 76, Who Beat Boyfriend, 63, to Death With Bat Was Tired of Loving Him, Police Say
Woman, 76, Beat Boyfriend, 63, to Death With Bat: Police
67-year-old woman charged with murder told police she beat man with baseball bat
67-Year-Old Woman Beat Boyfriend to Death with a Bat for 36 Hours, Police Allege

Matthew Tirado

Photo of Matthew Tirado, a young boy with light-brown skin and curly black hair. He is wearing a red tank top. Name: Matthew Tirado.
Died: February 14, 2017.
Age at death: 17.
Cause of death: Malnutrition, dehydration, abuse.
Location: Hartford, Connecticut, USA.
Disability: Autism.

Details:
When Matthew was brought to the hospital, he was dying from severe malnutrition, with bruises all over his body. He weighed only 88 pounds and had broken ribs when he died from malnutrition, dehydration, and fatal child abuse.

Case status:
Katiria Tirado (Mother), pleaded no contest to manslaughter, sentenced to 11 years in prison.

Source:
Hartford Mother Charged In Death Of Malnourished, Autistic Teen
Hartford PD: Autistic teen suffered multiple cuts and bruises prior to death
Mother to face judge after malnourished, abused teen with autism dies
Woman charged in connection with autistic teen son’s death
Court documents show nonverbal autistic teen was starved, abused and neglected
Mother to face judge after malnourished, abused teen with autism dies
Family Admonishes ‘System’s’ Failure At Wake For Malnourished Teen
Questions raised on school liability after teen dies of malnourishment, abuse
‘He’s Very Weak,’ Mother Tells 911 Hours Before Malnourished Teen’s Death
Death of Autistic, Emaciated Hartford Teen Ruled Homicide
Death of autistic teen who was abused by his mom is ruled a homicide
Medical Examiner Rules Neglected Teen’s Death A Homicide; Mother Faces Increased Charges
US mom charged with first-degree manslaughter of underweight autistic teen
‘He Looks Like He’s Dying’: Mother Faces Manslaughter In Death Of Malnourished Teen
Mum charged with manslaughter of underweight autistic teen
Charges Upped to Manslaughter in Hartford Autistic Teen’s Death
Mother Faces Upgraded Charges In Death Of Autistic Son
Mom of abused, starved autistic Hartford teen charged with manslaughter
Mom charged with manslaughter of underweight autistic teen
Mother Accused Of Manslaughter In Death Of Autistic Son Barred From Contacting Father
Child advocate finds many lapses preceded death of Hartford youth
Despite Danger Signs, DCF Never Made Contact With Matthew Tirado, Closed Case 4 Weeks Before Disabled Teen’s Starvation Death
‘He Looks Like He’s Dying’: Mother Faces Manslaughter In Death Of Malnourished Teen
Autistic Teen’s Malnutrition Death Was Preventable: Report
State child advocate seeks to increase safety for disabled kids
Report finds death of malnourished, abused teen’s was ‘preventable’
911 calls released following death of malnourished, abused teen who had autism
Matthew Tirado Final Report
Lawmaker: DCF ‘Gave Up’ In Teen’s Starvation Death
Connecticut mom pleads guilty in death of disabled teen son
Mom who starved autistic son to death pleads guilty
Hartford mom pleads guilty in death of disabled teen son
Mom pleads guilty to manslaughter of her underweight autistic son
Mom who starved autistic son sentenced to prison
Mother who starved autistic son to death sentenced to 11 years in prison
Mother who starved son with autism to death sentenced to 11 years in prison
Mum who starved autistic son to death gets prison sentence
DCF closes case A MONTH before mom starves disabled teen son to death
Death of autistic teen sparks homeschool debate
17-Year-Old with Autism Starved to Death by His Mom Weighed Just 84 Lbs.: She ‘Showed Real Hate’
This Mom Starved Her Autistic 17-Year-Old To Death
Death Of Autistic Teen Sparks Homeschoolers Rally At Connecticut State Capital Building

Sanaa Cunningham

Name: Sanaa Cunningham.
Died: February 12, 2017.
Age at death: 7.
Cause of death: Sepsis.
Location: Goodyear, Arizona, USA.
Disability: Autism, schizophrenia, other mental and physical health problems.

Details:
Sanaa’s father and stepmother allegedly kept her restrained, locked her in a small room, starved her, and forced her to do heavy physical work. She was brought to an urgent care center with severe bruises and scratches. A deep cut on her foot had become infected, and had gone untreated for so long that Sanaa died of sepsis.

Case status:
Germayne Cunningham (Father), charged with first-degree murder and child abuse.
Lisa Cunningham (Stepmother), charged with first-degree murder and child abuse.

Source:
Mum could be first Australian woman to face death row in US
Autism Memorial: Sanaa Cunningham
Ex Arizona officer and wife charged in daughter’s death
Ex-Phoenix police officer, wife indicted in murder of his 7-year-old daughter
Former Phoenix police detective facing murder charges following
Mother demands answers in death of 7-year-old daughter
Former Phoenix police detective accused of child abuse, murder
Ex-Phoenix policeman, wife indicted in his daughter’s death
3 abuse complaints made before 7-year-old’s death in Goodyear
Nothing Normal: Ex-Cop, Charged With Murder of 7-Year-Old Daughter, Walks Free for Now
UPDATE: Hearing Continued to Determine if Ex-Phoenix Cop to Face Death Penalty
Former Phoenix police detective and wife in jail with no bond, now eligible for death penalty
Aus mum facing death penalty denies murder
Former Adelaide woman facing death penalty in US to try and secure public funding for defence

Erwin Drake

No Photo Name: Erwin Emerson Drake.
Died: February 12, 2017.
Age at death: 93.
Cause of death: Gunshot.
Location: Florence, Oregon, USA.
Disability: Blindness, dementia, mobility impairment.

Details:
Erwin was shot by his ex-wife, who first claimed that he had threatened her, then claimed it had been a mercy-killing because of his dementia.

Case status:
Carolyn Stickley (Ex-wife), pleaded guilty to first-degree manslaughter, sentenced to ten years in prison.

Source:
Ex-wife claimed self-defense, then mercy killing after shooting 93-year-old Florence man, court records show
Florence woman charged in killing of 93-year-old ex-husband
Quail Creek woman held in Oregon murder
Woman, 74, admits killing 93-year-old ex-husband in Florence
Sahuarita woman sentenced in husband’s death

Joseph Bishop

Name: Joseph Bishop.
Died: February 11, 2017.
Age at death: 18.
Cause of death: Sepsis.
Location: Ludlow, Kentucky, USA.
Disability: Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

Details:
Joseph was neglected by his mother and grandparents. He was left in his bed for two years while severe bedsores developed.

When they saw how sick he was, Joseph’s caregivers decided that they wouldn’t take him to the hospital to avoid being charged with neglect. When Joseph was finally taken to the hospital, his untreated bedsores had already caused end-stage sepsis. He died soon thereafter.

Case status:
Jamie Bishop (Mother), pleaded guilty to manslaughter, sentenced to 8 years.
Raymond Martin (Grandfather), pleaded guilty to manslaughter, sentenced to 7 years 6 months.
Sharon Martin (Grandmother), pleaded guilty to manslaughter, sentenced to 7 years 6 months.

Source:
Mother who judge said let son ‘rot’ wants out of prison after serving 5 months
Mother, grandparents plead guilty in death of neglected teen
Mother, grandparents charged in death of ‘neglected’ NKY teen
Joseph Bishop: Woman wishes she had known neighbors’ dark secret, could have saved teen with muscular dystrophy
Police: NKY mom’s severe neglect led to death of disabled son
Mother and grandparents charged in disabled teen’s death
Joseph Bishop – Ronald B. Jones Funeral Home
Ludlow mother, grandparents charged in death of 18-year-old
With sepsis and bed sores, neglected teen was ‘lost in the cracks.’ Why did no one call?
Police: Northern Ky Mom’s Neglect Led To Death Of Disabled Son
Disabled teen with bedsores was ‘lost in the cracks’
Disabled teen dies from bedsore infection, 3 charged
Mother Charged In Bed-Ridden Son’s Death Had Been Investigated For Neglect Before
Judge denies mother and grandparents from disabled teen’s funeral
Mother and grandparents charged with disabled teen’s death
Ludlow mom investigated for neglect prior to bed-ridden son’s death

Robert Jones

No Photo Name: Robert Jones.
Died: February 8, 2017.
Age at death: 61.
Cause of death: Traumatic injury.
Location: Bridgeport, Connecticut, USA.
Disability: Fetal alcohol syndrome.

Details:
Robert was found beaten to death, propped up in his recliner with a cigarette in his hand. Police arrested his nice and her husband, who had been his caregivers, and charged them with murder. They proved his niece had beaten him to death, then tried to pose his body so that it looked like a natural death.

Case status:
Tynisha Hall (Niece), pleaded guilty to manslaughter, sentenced to 20 years, suspended after serving 15 years.
Brent Whiteman (Niece’s husband), convicted of manslaughter, sentenced to 7 years.

Source:
Bridgeport caregiver sentenced to 15 years in beating death of disabled uncle
Woman Pleads Guilty In Beating Death Of Trumbull Man: Report
CNA accused of killing uncle then propping him up with a cigarette
Caregiver’s murder case continued
Bridgeport Cops: Caretaker arrested in disabled man’s death
Bridgeport woman accused of killing disabled uncle she was caring for
Bridgeport woman accused of killing uncle appears in court
Bridgeport Police: Niece Killed Uncle, Then Propped Up Body With Cigarette
Woman charged with murder in death of uncle in Bridgeport
Conn. Woman Suspected in Uncle’s Murder: Police
PD: Man arrested in connection to February 2017 murder

Erin Leinweber

Portrait photo of Erin Leinweber, a young woman with long light-brown hair, fair skin, and brown eyes. She is wearing a blouse and is smiling with her lips shut. Name: Erin Leinweber.
Died: February 4, 2017.
Age at death: 58.
Cause of death: Beaten, stabbed, suffocated.
Location: Wheaton, Illinois, USA.
Disability: Multiple sclerosis, lupus, brain aneurysm.

Details:
Erin was recently divorced from her husband, who had a history of abusing her. Her husband returned to her home and killed her by stabbing and suffocating her.

Case status:
Lee Leinweber (ex-husband), pleaded guilty to first-degree murder, sentenced to 50 years.

Source:
Man pleads guilty, gets 50 years for killing ex-wife in Wheaton
Ex-husband charged with murder in death of Wheaton woman: officials