Age: Teen – Page 7 – Disability Day of Mourning

Palak

Photo of Palak, a teenager wearing a blue shirt. Her hair is short, and her skin is tan. The photo is indistinct and small. Name: Palak.
Died: July 15, 2017.
Age at death: 14.
Cause of death: Asphyxiation.
Location: Ludhiana, Punjab, India.
Disability: Autism.

Details:
Before killing himself, Palak’s father hanged her because he was “worried about her future”.

Palak is survived by her brother and mother, who were not home at the time of the murder.

Case status:
Mukesh Kumar (Father), deceased.

Sources
Man kills autistic daughter, hangs self
Trader kills mentally ill daughter, ends life
Father kills daughter, hangs self in Jagraon
Autism Memorial: Palak

Brianna Gussert

Name: Brianna Gussert.
Died: May 29, 2017.
Age at death: 13.
Cause of death: Sepsis.
Location: Appleton, Wisconsin, USA.
Disability: Wolf-Hirschhorn syndrome.

Details:
Brianna was neglected by her mother, who declined help whenever she was offered it. She was kept in a filthy room, and her mother didn’t let her go to school, feed her, or change her diaper. She died from sepsis due to neglect, and her death wasn’t reported for five days. She weighed only 33 pounds, down from her normal weight of 50 pounds.

She was a sports fan who played baseball in a special-needs league. She enjoyed watching the Packers and the Badgers play football, and the Brewers play baseball.

Case status:
Nicole Gussert (Mother), convicted of child neglect resulting in death, sentenced to 17 years.

Source:
Wisconsin mom sentenced in disabled daughter’s neglect death
Mom left disabled daughter, 13, in a feces-filled diaper before sepsis death
Obituary for BRIANNA L. GUSSERT – Menasha, WI
Mother arrested in death of special needs daughter
An Appleton woman arrested for the death of her 13-year-old special needs daughter
Appleton Police arrest mom for death of special needs daughter
Appleton woman arrested in death of teenage daughter
Woman Faces Neglect Causing Death Charge
Wisconsin mother charged in horrific “slow death” of disabled daughter
Brianna Gussert: Heartbreak at every turn in Appleton girl’s death
No help came: Heartbreak at every turn in death of 13-year-old Brianna Gussert
Wisconsin mother charged in death of disabled daughter
Shocking case of alleged neglect: US mother charged over death of disabled daughter who ‘suffered immensely’
WATCH: Disabled girl in soiled diaper died ‘slow death’ due to neglect
Disabled teenage daughter found in soiled nappy dies in house smelling of ‘rotten food, human waste and death’
A Wisconsin Woman Allegedly Allowed Her Disabled Daughter To Die Slowly In Horrific Conditions
Girl in Appleton neglect case absent from school 162 days in final year before she died
Investigators: Appleton home smelled of “death”
Appleton mother charged in death of disabled daughter
Girl died of sepsis after mother left her sitting in excrement-filled diaper
Disabled teen neglected by mother and left to die
Teen Girl with Disabilities Suffered a ‘Slow Death’ from Her Mother’s Neglect, Authorities Allege
‘Smell In The Air Of Rotten Food, Human Waste And Death’ — Wisconsin Mom Accused Of Starving And Neglecting Daughter
Court records show 13-year-old Brianna Gussert’s decline over nearly 6 months
Wisconsin teen with disabilities suffered ‘slow death’ due to mother’s neglect, authorities say
As Jessica’s dad, I’m shocked by horrific death of girl with disabilities, but not surprised

Lovedeep Singh

No Photo Name: Lovedeep Singh.
Died: May 17, 2017.
Age at death: 12.
Cause of death: Traumatic injury.
Location: Fateh-Ullah-Shahwala, Dharamkot, Himachal Pradesh, India.
Disability: Mobility impaired; bedbound.

Details:
Lovedeep and his three-year-old sister Jasmine were killed by their father, who hacked them to death with an axe. Police said that he was frustrated because two of his sons were physically disabled. He initially tried to blame the crime on their mother and her brother, but then when the truth came out he ran from police.

Case status:
Sher Singh (Father), arrested on suspicion of murder.

Source:
Moga children double murder: Twist in the tale, police book father
Spate of crimes in Moga, 5 murders, three rapes in 10 days
Moga siblings’ murder: Day after, father booked for murder
Moga | Mother Kills Her Daughter And Stepson With An Axe

Sabrina Ray

Photo of Sabrina Ray. She is a thin girl with pale skin and dark brown hair in a boy cut. Her expression is solemn. Name: Sabrina Ray.
Died: May 12, 2017.
Age at death: 16.
Cause of death: Starvation.
Location: Perry, Iowa, USA.
Disability: Unspecified.

Details:
Sabrina was tortured and starved by her family. When she died at age 16 after being drop-kicked down the stairs by her adoptive brother and subsequently starving to death, she weighed 56 pounds and looked like an eight-year-old child.

Her death may have saved the lives of her two adopted sisters, who were also abused and were rescued from the home and taken to the hospital when Sabrina was found dead.

Case status:
Marc Ray (Adoptive father), pleaded guilty to child endangerment and kidnapping, sentenced to 35 years in prison.
Misty Ray (Adoptive mother), charged with child endangerment, child neglect, criminal conduct, theft, and fraud, sentenced to life in prison.
Carla Bousman (Adoptive grandmother), pleaded guilty to two counts of false imprisonment, two counts of child endangerment, on count of neglect of a dependent person, one count of accessory after the fact, and one count of obstructing prosecution, sentenced to 20 years in prison.
Josie Raye Bousman (Niece), pleaded guilty to neglect of a dependeent and child endangerment, sentenced to 14 years in prison.
Justin Dale Ray (Adoptive brother), pleaded guilty to two counts of willful injury, sentenced to 10 years in prison.

Source:
Starved teen looked like she was an ‘8-year-old,’ say day care visitors
Disabled Teen Drop-Kicked Down A Flight Of Stairs, Then Held Captive And Starved By Family, Including Grandma
Defenseless Adopted Teen Girl, 16, Drop-Kicked & Starved To Death In Iowa Home
Police: Brother ‘drop-kicked’ starved Iowa girl, grandmother helped in torture
Community mourns Sabrina’s death, plans grief services
A Voice for Sabrina Ray
More Change of Venue Motions Filed in Sabrina Ray Case
New Charges Leveled at Marc and Misty Ray
Perry Fire Department Hopes Justice Is Served For Sabrina Rays’ Death
Sabrina Ray case comes to a close as final family member is sentenced

Davarion Davis

Photo of Davarion Davis, a boy with brown skin and black hair in a buzz cut, photographed outdoors, smiling at the camera. He is wearing a pink sweatshirt with a logo printed on the front. Name: Davarion Davis.
Died: May 4, 2017.
Age at death: 12.
Cause of death: Infection secondary to kidney disease.
Location: Gary, Indiana, USA.
Disability: Nephrotic syndrome.

Details:
Davarion’s nephrotic syndrome, a kidney disease, should have been easily treatable with medication; but his mother neglected his medical care, often forgetting to give him medication and eventually taking him off medication entirely. He died of an infection related to his untreated nephrotic syndrome.

Case status:
Teisha Ellis (Mother), pleaded guilty to neglect of a dependent causing bodily injury, sentenced to 3 years on work release.

Source:
Gary mother faces felony neglect charges after son’s death due to kidney disorder complications
Support Lil D Homegoing Service organized by Stompdown Laydii
Mother sentenced to 3 years in work release for child’s death from chronic medical condition

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.

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

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

Alex Santiago

Name: Alex Santiago.
Died: January 17, 2017.
Age at death: 21.
Cause of death: Traumatic injury.
Location: Berryville, Arkansas, USA.
Disability: Autism.

Details:
Alex had already survived one murder attempt by his brother, who had locked him in a gasoline-drenched bedroom and lit a match. Alex was airlifted to a hospital, where he spent three days before going home. Eight months later, his brother finally succeeded in killing him by bludgeoning him with a baseball bat and stabbing him with a sword.

Case status:
Joseph Santiago (Brother), convicted of murder, sentenced to 25 years to life.

Source:
Autism Memorial: Alex Santiago
17-year-old arrested after killing autistic brother with baseball bat, sword
17-Year-Old Accused Of Killing Autistic Brother With Bat And Sword
Carroll County murder victim was suspect’s autistic brother; Bat, sword were weapons
House Fire Victims by Taylor Santiago
Arkansas teen pleads innocent in brother’s death
Juvenile, for now, pleads not guilty in death of autistic brother
Murder suspect identified: Enters ‘not guilty’ plea in brother’s slaying
Carroll County teen pleads not guilty to capital murder, other charges
Mental evaluation Judge orders exam for Santiago, accused of slaying brother
Carroll Co. Murder Suspect to Undergo Mental Exam Carroll Co. Murder Suspect to Undergo Mental Exam
Arkansas Teen Sentenced to Life for Killing Brother

Grace Packer

Photo of Grace Packer. She is a teenage girl with fair skin and straight brown hair. She is wearing hoop earrings, black-rimmed glasses, and a white flowered shirt. Name: Grace Anastasia Packer.
Died: July 11, 2016 (Reported missing); October 31, 2016 (Body found).
Age at death: 14.
Cause of death: Asphyxia, poisoning, blunt trauma.
Location: Quakertown, Pennsylvania, USA; Abington Township, Pennsylvania, USA.
Disability: Learning disability; mother claimed emotional/behavioral.

Details:
Grace and her twelve-year-old brother were both adopted into the same family. Her favorite colors were purple and light pink, and she loved flowers. She liked to help the special-needs students at her school.

When Grace disappeared, her mother said that she had stolen money and run away; then she did her best to stymie the police investigation and kept cashing Grace’s disability checks. Eventually, she brought out a forged letter she said was from Grace; the letter apologized for “being a burden”.

Grace’s body was found months later; she had been murdered. Grace had been beaten, poisoned, and raped by her mother’s boyfriend before finally being choked to death. Her body was dismembered and the parts scattered. Her mother watched and assisted in the killing.

Her mother said she had “behavioral problems” and an “emotional disorder” in order to portray Grace as an emotionally disturbed runaway, and she received disability payments to care for Grace as an adopted disabled child.

Case status:
Sara Packer (Adoptive mother), pleaded guilty to murder, sentenced to life in prison.
Jacob Sullivan (Mother’s boyfriend), convicted of murder, sentenced to death, died of natural causes on death row.