Type: Fatal Abuse – Page 12 – Disability Day of Mourning

Pernell Robinson

Name: Pernell Robinson.
Died: July 15, 2017.
Age at death: 49.
Cause of death: Blunt-force trauma.
Location: Daytona beach, Florida, USA.
Disability: Schizophrenia, bipolar disorder.

Details:
Pernell had been subjected to abuse by his caregiver for years. Hospitalized for his injuries, he told police that his caregiver had beaten him, but later retracted his statement and went back to live with her. Eventually, she took out a life insurance policy on him and beat him to death.

Case status:
Diane Reid (Caregiver), convicted of second-degree murder and neglect of a disabled adult, sentenced to life.

Source:
Disgusting Woman TORTURED a DISABLED!!! Man To Death for NO REASON!!!
Daytona caregiver gets life for killing man for insurance payout
Daytona woman found guilty of killing disabled man for insurance money
Police: Disabled man’s death ‘suspicious’
Police: Death of Daytona Beach man, 49, ruled homicide
Daytona man’s death a homicide; police offer $5,000 reward
Caretaker responsible for mid-July death of Daytona Beach man, police say
Caregiver charged in murder of Daytona Beach man

Micah and Olivia Gee

Photo of Olivia and Micah Gee, two African-American toddlers. Olivia is wearing a pink sweater and has her hair tied back in a headband with a big purple flower on it. Micah is wearing a striped blue-and-green shirt, and has his arms around his sister. Name: Micah Gee.
Age at death: 3.

Name: Olivia Gee.
Age at death: 2.

Died: July 10, 2017.
Cause of death: Internal bleeding from blunt trauma.
Location: New York City, New York, USA.
Disability: Severe asthma.

Details:
When Olivia and Micah were found dead in their beds on the same night, they were thought to have died of asthma attacks. But on autopsy, it became clear that the brother and sister had been beaten to death.

Case status:
Jade Spencer (Mother), charged with six counts of first-degree manslaughter, six counts of second-degree manslaughter, and assault.

Source:
Bronx Mother Indicted on Manslaughter, Assault Charges in Deaths of Her Two Toddlers in 2017
Mother Charged With Manslaughter In 2017 Deaths Of 2 Bronx Toddlers
Siblings, ages 2 and 3, die after breathing trouble
Seeking answers to toddlers’ death
Investigation Continues Into Deaths Of Bronx Toddler Siblings
Bronx Toddlers’ Deaths Are Ruled Homicides
Deaths of toddler siblings ruled homicides
Deaths of young siblings in the Bronx ruled homicides
Bronx toddlers bled to death after savage beating
Medical Examiner Says Blunt Force Trauma Killed Young Bronx Siblings
Beaten Bronx Toddlers Died of Internal Bleeding, NYPD Says
Bronx Toddlers Were Beaten to Death, Medical Examiner Says
Toddler Siblings From The Bronx Were Beaten To Death

Angelina Costello

Name: Angelina Costello.
Died: July 6, 2017.
Age at death: 3.
Cause of death: Injury, malnutrition.
Location: Ogden, Utah, USA.
Disability: Premature, medically fragile.

Details:
Angelina died from starvation, burns, and blunt trauma. She had been abused by her parents for essentially her entire life. Her parents believed that because she was born premature, she was “cursed”, and that her disability meant she brought bad luck to the family.

Case Status:
Brenda Emile (Mother), pleaded guilty to aggravated murder, sentenced to life without parole.
Miller Eric Costello (Father), pleaded guilty to first-degree aggravated murder, sentenced to life without parole.

Sources:
‘Dehumanized and tortured by monsters’: Judge berates parents for horrific killing of toddler
The Awful Abuse 3-Year-Old Angelina Costello Suffered Before She Died — And How Her Mother Tried To Cover Up Her Wounds
Detective: On family videos, Angelina Costello ‘looks like a skeleton’
Costello pleads guilty in daughter’s starvation, beating death
Mother charged in brutal abuse death of 3-year-old can’t withdraw guilty plea, judge says

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

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

Aedyn Agminalis

Photo of Aedyn Agminalis, a baby with fair skin and wispy blond hair. He is wearing a onesie and holding on to a piece of furniture to support him as he stands on wobbly legs. Name: Aedyn Agminalis.
Died: December 11, 2016.
Age at death: 17 months.
Cause of death: Head injury.
Location: Riverview, Florida, USA.
Disability: Chronic illness, developmental delay.

Details:
Aedyn was brought to the hospital with a severe head injury suffered while under the care of his foster mother. Doctors called it “very suspicious for non-accidental trauma”. Aedyn’s brain had been injured too severely for survival, and he died after life support was shut off.

Case status:
Latamara Stackhouse Flythe (Foster mother); initially charged with first-degree murder and aggravated abuse, charges dropped due to lack of evidence.

Source:
Foster mom charged in toddler’s death was meant to be his lifeline
Editorial: Another child’s death, another cry for help
New details emerge in case of foster mother charged in murder of Tampa-area toddler – Orlando Rising
Fatal injury occurred just minutes after child welfare worker left home, detective says
Foster mom arrested in death of boy headed for adoption
How Could You? Hall of Shame-Aedyn Agminalis case-Child Death UPDATED
Inquiry launched after infant dies in foster care in Hillsborough County – Orlando Sentinel
Toddler dies while in foster care, potential new family wants answers
Toddler in foster care Aedyn Agminalis dead just ahead of adoption by lesbian couple
Within reach of adoption, toddler dies while in foster care

Danny Fernandez

Name: Danny Fernandez.
Died: December 11, 2016.
Age at death: 66.
Cause of death: Blunt trauma.
Location: Springfield, Illinois, USA.
Disability: Unspecified; wheelchair user.

Details:
Danny’s stepdaughter brought him to the emergency room, claiming he had fallen out of his wheelchair. However, when the injuries were examined, she was arrested and charged with aggravated assault. When Danny died in the ICU a few days later, she was charged with murder.

Case status:
Christina Mathews (Stepdaughter), charged with first-degree murder.

Source:
Obituary for Danny Fernandez at Ruby Funeral Services & Chapel, Inc.
Springfield woman facing multiple first-degree murder charges
Springfield Woman Accused of Beating Disabled Step-Father to Death
Woman Charged With Stepfather’s Murder
Money alleged motive for murder
Springfield woman charged with murder in stepfather’s death
Danny Fernandez’s Obituary

Chance Vanderpool

Photo of Chance Vanderpool, a toddler boy wearing a plaid shirt. He has fair skin and light blond hair. Name: Chance Vanderpool.
Died: November 22, 2016.
Age at death: 4.
Cause of death: Multiple traumatic injuries.
Location: Glen St. Mary, Florida, USA.
Disability: Autism.

Details:
Paramedics found Chance not breathing, covered in bruises. He was declared dead at the hospital. His mother said he had fallen down some stairs and hit his head in the shower; but the two eventually pleaded no contest to charges of fatally abusing the boy.

Case status:
Jonathan Register (Mother’s boyfriend), pleaded guilty to aggravated negligent homicide and aggravated child abuse, sentenced to 30 years.
Heather Naomi Stevenson (Mother), convicted of manslaughter and conspiracy to commit manslaughter, sentenced to 25 years.

Source:
Autism Memorial: Chance Vanderpool
The Baker County press
Mother of deceased autistic boy faces child abuse charges
Baker Sheriff investigating death of 4-year-old autistic boy
Arrest made for the death of 4-year-old autistic boy in Baker
4-year-old child with autism dies; Baker County man charged with child abuse of sibling
4-year-old boy with autism dies in Baker County
Baker County child with autism dies; Man charged with abuse of sibling
Man accused of abusing 2-year-old after sibling dies
Aggravated manslaughter charges filed against autistic boy’s mother and her boyfriend
Police: Couple burns, bruises, beats autistic child to death, and abuse little brother found with ‘genital bruising’
Mother of autistic boy, her boyfriend charged with manslaughter
Baker County couple charged with manslaughter in autistic boy’s death

Devendra Prasad Misra

No Photo Name: Devendra Prasad Misra.
Died: November 18, 2016.
Age at death: 27.
Cause of death: Blunt trauma.
Location: Madhapur, Hyderabad, India.
Disability: A “serious mental disorder”.

Details:
Devendra’s brothers reportedly beat him to death because they believed he was demon-possessed. Another brother was also attacked, but rescued by neighbors and taken to the hospital.

Devendra worked as a security guard at at MNC, an IT company in Hyderabad.

Case status:
Birendra Prasad Misra (Brother), charged with murder.
Mahendra Prasad Misra (Brother), charged with murder.

Source:
Hyderabad: Superstition led to man’s murder
Hyderabad: 2 arrested for killing brother, attack on another
Cops yet to find out cause of fight among siblings
Fight among siblings: Cops yet to find out cause of fight among siblings

Tevaun Williamson

Name: Tevaun Williamson.
Died: November 16, 2016.
Age at death: 7.
Cause of death: Blunt trauma, dehydration, malnutrition.
Location: Memphis, Tennessee, USA.
Disability: Autism.

Details:
Tevaun was found unresponsive in his home by first responders and declared dead at the hospital. His mother and her boyfriend were arrested on suspicion of having beaten and starved him.

Case status:
Michelle Williamson (Mother), convicted of second-degree murder and aggravated child neglect; sentenced to 17 years.
Daryl Lee (Mother’s boyfriend), charged with first-degree murder, aggravated child abuse, and aggravated child neglect.

Source:
Couple charged with murder in autistic 7-year-old’s death
Parents Charged in Boy’s Beating Death in Tennessee
Couple Indicted For Murder In Death Of Woman’s 7-Year-Old Son
Mother, boyfriend indicted in 2016 beating death of 7-year-old