Remembering the Disabled Murdered by Caregivers
Age 12-18
Name: Unknown; last name may be Lev.
Died: February 22, 1991.
Age at death: 16.
Cause of death: Poisoning.
Location: Jerusalem, Israel.
Disability: Autism.
Details:
This teenage boy’s mother was found guilty of poisoning him.
Case status:
Zvia Lev (Mother), found guilty of murder.
Source:
Autism Memorial: 16-year-old male, Name Unknown
Michael Rotem, “Mother found guilty of killing her autistic son,” Jerusalem Post, February 22, 1991.
Name: Dr. Malanie Desilva Paul.
Age at death: 48.
Disability: Arthritis, depression.
Name: Medhini Paul.
Age at death: 17.
Disability: Intellectual disability.
Name: Anthony Rajiva Paul.
Age at death: 12.
Disability: None.
Died: June 16, 1990.
Cause of death: Poisoned.
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.
Details:
Dr. Malanie Paul, her 17-year-old daughter Medhini, and her son Anthony Rajiva were killed by her husband, also a doctor, who sedated his family and then attached them and himself to IVs full of poison. Apparently, he had decided that there was “no alternative to death” for his disabled wife and daughter, and had killed twelve-year-old Anthony too because he feared that the boy would enter the foster care system and become “a freak”.
Case status:
Anthony R. Paul (Husband/Father), deceased.
Name: Rishonda “Nickie” Jones.
Died: February 8, 1988.
Age at death: 15.
Cause of death: Starvation.
Location: Detroit, Michigan, USA.
Disability: Arthritis, scoliosis.
Details:
Rishonda died of starvation and infected bedsores.
She was an honor student who liked to write poetry and short stories.
Case status:
Michelle Jones (Mother); charged with manslaughter and child cruelty.
Source:
Woman pays to bury starvation victim
Probe starvation of disabled teen
Name: Dominic J. “Andrew” Diehl.
Died: October 29, 1986.
Age at death: 13.
Cause of death: Head injury.
Location: Virginia Beach, Virginia, USA.
Disability: Child abuse survivor; emotionally disturbed.
Details:
Andrew died of head injuries inflicted by his adoptive father; he was tied to the floor of the family bus and severely beaten.
Andrew liked to read Western novels.
Case status:
Michael Diehl (Adoptive father), first-degree murder, 41 years; eligible for parole after 7 years.
Karen Diehl (Adoptive mother), manslaughter, 31 years; released after 6 years.
Source:
Dominick J. (Andrew) Diehl
Parents of 17 Arrested In Fatal Beating of Son
Facing Charges, Father Wanted Life Support Continued : Brain-Dead Boy’s Death Ends Dispute
Dominick Joseph “Andrew” Diehl (1973-1986)
Name: Michelle Sandor.
Age at death: 14.
Name: Scott Sandor.
Age at death: 11.
Died: September 3, 1982.
Cause of death: Gunshot.
Location: Greenwich, Connecticut, USA.
Disability: Marfan syndrome.
Details:
Scott and Michelle Sandor were shot by their mother, who then shot herself. Their mother also had Marfan syndrome.
Case status:
Linda V. Sandor, deceased.