Age: Teen – Page 7 – Disability Day of Mourning

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.

Natalie Finn

Name: Natalie Jasmine Finn.
Died: October 24, 2016.
Age at death: 16.
Cause of death: Malnutrition.
Location: Des Moines, Iowa, USA.
Disability: Reactive attachment disorder.

Details:
Natalie was one of several children, all of whom were neglected and abused by their mother. Natalie often went to neighbors’ houses to ask for food and clothing.

In the last year of her life, she was taken out of school, kept at home, and starved to death by her mother.

Neighbors and classmates remember her as a gentle, kind girl who did her best to help her siblings. Her two siblings were rescued when Natalie died and were hospitalized in poor condition; when they recovered, they went to live in foster homes. It is likely that Natalie’s efforts saved their lives.

Case status:
Nicole Marie Finn (Mother), convicted of first-degree murder and three counts of first-degree kidnapping, sentenced to life without parole.
Joseph Michael Finn II (Father), pled guilty to three counts of assault while participating in a felony causing serious injury, sentenced to 30 years.

Source:
Natalie Finn’s father sentenced to 30 years for helping ex-wife starve children
Nicole Finn gets 3 life sentences for starving 3 of her adopted children until 1 died
Teen, siblings were tortured by parents, court documents say
Parents charged in 16-year-old’s death appear in court
Court documents: Teen, siblings were tortured by parents
Teen who died had asked neighbors for food, clothes
Neighbor: Teen saw herself as siblings’ protector
Memorial For Sixteen Year Old Turns Into Heartfelt Apology From Peers
Teen who starved to death found in diaper on linoleum floor, records show
Trial begins in starvation death of West Des Moines teen
Photos show filthy living conditions inside Finn household
Natalie Finn’s school tried to warn the state she was in dire jeopardy, but it wasn’t enough to save her Nicole Finn repeatedly ignored officer, caseworker trying to see her, jurors told
Nicole Finn Murder Case: 5 Things About Mom Who Starved Daughter
Adoptive father of Iowa teen who starved to death pleads guilty

Aaliyah Taylor

Photo of a teenage girl with short curly black hair and brown skin, wearing a quizzical expression. Name: Aaliyah Taylor.
Died: October 15, 2016.
Age at death: 14.
Cause of death: Respiratory failure due to drug toxicity.
Location: Spring, Texas, USA.
Disability: Microcephaly, multiple sclerosis, autism and seizures.

Details:
Aaliyah was abused by her father and caregivers. He repeatedly used a stun gun on her, and they drugged her with blood pressure medication that she hadn’t been prescribed. The medication caused her to stop breathing and die.

Case status:
Anthony Jackson (Father), convicted of first-degree injury to a child, sentenced to 65 years, with parole possible after 8.5 years.
Keyonna Gunner (Home health worker), convicted of injury to a child, sentenced to 90 days in jail and 7 years probation.
Tommieretta Gunner (Home health worker), convicted of injury to a child, sentenced to 8 years in prison.
Marreissa Jones (Home health worker), charged with first-degree injury to a child.

Source:
Autism Memorial: Aaliyah Taylor
Three charged in death of special-needs teen
Houston Officials: Special needs teen who died last year was abused
Teaxs Digest: Special-needs teen who died was abused, officials say
Special needs teen who died last year was abused, 3 suspects arrested
Girl, 14, with special needs dies after given blood pressure medication, autopsy shows
Special needs teen who died last year was abused
Three adults use stun gun on special needs teen for months before delivering deadly dose of unprescribed meds: Cops
Fourth suspect arrested in disturbing abuse, death of special needs teenager
MCSO: Fourth suspect arrested in special needs teen’s death
Police charged three in the death of a special needs girl, but believe a 4th took part

Erica Parsons

Photo of Erica Parsons, a young girl with pale skin and dark-brown shoulder-length hair. Her nose is red. Name: Erica Parsons.
Died: Died December 19, 2011; reported missing July 30, 2013; body found September 27, 2016.
Age at death: 13.
Cause of death: Homicide.
Location: Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA.
Disability: Learning disability, deaf from birth.

Details:
Erica was physically and emotionally abused by her adoptive parents. They locked her in a closet, hit her, and deliberately broke her fingers.

Sometime in 2011, she disappeared. Witnesses said she was “having trouble breathing” shortly beforehand. She was not reported missing for two years.

Until Erica’s body was found, her parents could only be convicted for fraud, since they had cashed Erica’s disability checks in the years between her disappearance and its reporting.

Five years after her likely death, Erica’s adoptive father led police to her body. Her bones revealed that she had been malnourished, and had suffered many fractures from abuse. Authorities could not find an exact cause of death, but determined she had died from “homicidal violence”, probably from being strangled or from injury from beatings.

Case status:
Sandy Parsons (Adoptive father), convicted of fraud, murder, obstruction of justice, and concealment of death, sentenced to 33 years to life.
Casey Parsons (Adoptive mother), convicted of fraud, murder, obstruction of justice, and concealment of death, sentenced to life without parole.

Source:
Erica Parsons’ adoptive dad to serve minimum of 33 years for murder, abuse, obstruction
Judge rips Parsonses for Erica’s life, death
Sheriff: Erica Parsons likely dead before reported missing
Girl missing since 2011 was tortured repeatedly before death, warrant says
Chesterfield ‘adoptive father tortured disabled daughter before discarding her body’
NC girl who lived in a house of horror died any of several torturous ways, autopsy finds
Erica Parsons Update: Autopsy Reveals Details About Missing Girl’s Life And Death
Autopsy reveals girl died brutal death, adoptive parents likely to face charges
Autopsy reveals girl died brutal death, had many broken bones
Erica Parsons was 12 or 13 when her parents killed her and cut up the body, cops say
Erica Parsons’ adoptive parents charged in girl’s death, dismemberment
Hidden Torture: Murder Victim Erica Parsons Homeschooled
Erica Parsons’ Parents To Face Death Penalty In Murder Trial