Relationship: Parent – Page 20 – Disability Day of Mourning

April Zavala

No Photo Name: April Heather Zavala.
Died: June 14, 2020.
Age at death: 24.
Cause of death: Strangled.
Location: Elko, Nevada, USA.
Disability: Autism.

Details:
April’s mother strangled her because she wanted to dress herself instead of letting her mother dress her. She said that caring for April during the COVID pandemic had become too stressful. At the time of her death, April had not seen a doctor in several years.

Case status:
Judith I. Zavala (Mother), convicted of second-degree murder, sentenced to 10-25 years in prison.

Source:
Autism Memorial: April Zavala
Elko woman convicted of 2nd degree-murder in 24-year-old daughter’s death
Mom bound over to district court in daughter’s death
Mom says stress led to daughter’s strangulation

Emi Yamamoto

No Photo Name: Emi Yamamoto.
Died: June 13, 2020.
Age at death: 44.
Cause of death: Drowning.
Location: Yokkaichi, Mie Prefecture, Japan.
Disability: Unspecified.

Details:
Emi’s mother allegedly took her to a hotel and drowned her in the bathtub. Police say she told them she wanted to “ease [Emi’s] suffering”.

Case status:
Ryoko Yamamoto (Mother), arrested on suspicion of murder.

Source:
71-year-old woman arrested over murder of disabled daughter

Joshua Vallow

Name: Joshua Jackson “JJ” Vallow.
Died: June 10, 2020 (Body found; last seen September 23, 2019).
Age at death: 7.
Cause of death: Asphyxia.
Location: Rexburg, Idaho, USA.
Disability: Autism.

Details:
For some time after their disappearances, JJ and his half-sister Tylee’s parents claimed they were home-schooling or that the children were staying with relatives; but their grandparents became worried and asked for a welfare check and the children were declared missing. A storage locker was found, full of the siblings’ possessions. Finally their bodies were found buried on their stepfather’s property. JJ’s grandparents believe that his mother and stepfather killed him and his 17-year-old half-sister, Tylee Ryan.

Case status:
Lori Vallow Daybell (Mother), convicted of first degree murder, desertion and nonsupport of dependent children, resisting or obstructing officers, criminal solicitation to commit a crime, contempt of court and willful disobedience of court process or order; sentenced to life without parole.
Chad Guy Daybell (Stepfather), convicted of first degree murder, concealing evidence, and fraud; sentenced to death.

Source:
Chad Daybell is sentenced to death in triple-murder case
‘Doomsday prophet’ sentenced to death for murder of wife and two children
Lori Vallow appeals conviction after being found guilty of murdering her 2 children
Lori Vallow Daybell appeals murder conviction over questions of mental competency
Lori Vallow Daybell gets multiple life sentences in murders of her 2 kids and romantic rival, speaks of ‘spirit world’ in court
Idaho mom Lori Vallow Daybell faces sentencing in deaths of 2 children and her romantic rival
Doomsday plot: Idaho jury convicts woman in murders of 2 children, romantic rival
Lori Vallow’s son JJ’s grisly cause of death revealed
Lori Vallow trial: pathologist found 7-year-old JJ had alcohol and a date rape drug in his body when he was killed
Lori Vallow looked up kids’ life insurance before children vanished
A look at who’s who in the murder trial of slain kids’ mom
Lori Vallow Daybell trial: ‘Doomsday cult mom’ loses bid to ban JJ and Tylee’s loved ones from court
Lori Vallow won’t face the death penalty, Idaho judge rules
‘Cult mom’ Lori Vallow blasted as unrecognizable by ‘murdered’ son’s grandma
Lori Vallow To Face Death Penalty If She’s Convicted Of Her Children’s Murders
Lori Vallow, Idaho mother charged with killing her children, pleads not guilty
Lori Valley back in jail after spending 10 months in mental hospital
Medical Examiner: Charles Vallow’s death ruled a homicide; Lori Vallow accused of conspiracy to commit murder
Autism Memorial: Joshua Vallow
Lori Vallow, Chad Daybell indicted on murder charges in deaths of kids
Grandparents seeking justice for J.J. and Tylee hope Daybells will face murder charges
A string of family deaths surround tragedy of Lori Vallow’s children
Medical examiner completes autopsy on Chad Daybell ex-wife
Why did Lori Vallow murder her kids? A look into the terrible case
Deaths of Tylee Ryan and J. J. Vallow
Funeral for ‘Cult Mom’ Lori Vallow’s kids ‘can’t be held because charred and butchered remains not released’
Documents detail horrific manner JJ Vallow and Tylee Ryan were found in Chad Daybell’s yard
Brother of J.J. Vallow and Tylee Ryan Says He’s ‘Broken’ After Remains of Idaho Children Found
Doomsday Author, Wife Set for Trial for Murder of 2 Idaho ‘Zombie’ Children

Kylie Mickens

Name: Kylie L. Mickens.
Died: June 8, 2020.
Age at death: 5.
Cause of death: Malnutrition.
Location: Buford, Georgia, USA.
Disability: 1p36 deletion syndrome.

Details:
Kylie died from malnutrition and dehydration due to medical neglect. Her disability made it difficult for her to swallow, but her parents removed the feeding tube she needed to eat in favor of trying to feed her by mouth; she gradually starved, weighing only 7 pounds at death.

Case status:
Jerrail Maurice Mickens (Father), charged with felony murder and first-degree cruelty to children; died before trial.
Porscha Danielle Mickens (Mother), pleaded guilty to second-degree murder, sentenced to 20 years probation.

Source:
Mother of 5 year-old who died at 8lbs sentenced to 20 years probation
Mother of 5-year-old took girl to countless doctors before death, attorney says
Mother of 5-year-old who died weighing 7 pounds gets probation
Girl, 5, who weighed seven pounds when died had a rare disorder
Georgia couple accused of starving daughter to death held without bond
Attorney denies murder allegations for clients, claims 5-year-old had short life expectancy from rare condition
Girl, 5, who weighed seven pounds when died had a rare disorder

Esteban, Penelope, Avielle, and Apollo Harless

No Photo Name: Esteban Lorenzo Harless.
Age at death: 4.

Name: Penelope Arcadia Harless.
Age at death: 3.

Name: Avielle Magdalena Harless.
Age at death: 1.

Name: Apollo Harless.
Age at death: 11 months.

Died: June 4, 2020.
Cause of death: Carbon monoxide poisoning.
Location: San Antonio, Texas, USA.
Disability: Special needs.

Details:
Esteban, Penelope, Avielle, and Apollo’s parents gassed them with carbon monoxide before committing suicide. They also killed the family’s two cats.

Case status:
Jared Esquibel Harless (Father), deceased.
Sheryll Ann Harless (Mother), deceased.

Source:
San Antonio Murder-Suicide: Army Officer’s Wife Helped Husband Kill Children with Special Needs
Police: Wife helped husband kill kids before double suicide
Army identifies Fort Sam Houston soldier found dead in apparent murder-suicide

6-year-old girl

No Photo
Name Unknown.
Died: May 31, 2020.
Age at death: 6.
Cause of death: Gunshot.
Location: Orange, New Jersey, USA.
Disability: Unspecified special needs.

Details:
This little girl was killed by her mother in a murder-suicide. Neighbors said that she had said she was overwhelmed by caring for a special-needs child.

Case status:
Sushmiba Bardhan (Mother), deceased.

Source:
Sources: Mother, 6-year-old daughter dead in murder-suicide in West Orange
New Jersey Murder-Suicide: Mother Kills 6-Year-Old With Special Needs Before Shooting Self

India Martin

Name: India Heavenly Lacey Martin.
Died: May 26, 2020.
Age at death: 4.
Cause of death: Abuse.
Location: Rock Hill, South Carolina, USA.
Disability: Mobility impaired, speech impaired, used feeding tube.

Details:
Born prematurely at 26 weeks and addicted to cocaine, India survived a difficult start in life only to be found dead at age four, stuffed in a dresser drawer. Police say her body showed signs of trauma and strangulation.

Case status:
Jackleen Mullen (Mother), convicted of homicide by child abuse and aiding and abetting homicide by child abuse; sentenced to 22 to 30 years.
Audrevious Williams (Mother’s boyfriend, charged with homicide by child abuse or neglect.

Source:
SC mom gets 30 years in prison in death of disabled daughter found in a dresser drawer
Rock Hill mother gets 30 years for killing daughter who was disabled
SC mom told police child found dead in dresser was in Union County, NC, detective says
Trial begins for York County mother charged in death of 4-year-old girl found stuffed in a drawer
Mom, boyfriend charged after disabled 4-year-old found dead in dresser drawer
Bond Denied For Mother, Boyfriend Charged After Child Found Dead, Police Say

Willow Dunn

Name: Willow Dunn.
Died: May 25, 2020.
Age at death: 4.
Cause of death: Malnutrition.
Location: Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
Disability: Down syndrome.

Details:
Willow starved to death in her own home. Her body was found two days after her death, covered in severe bedsores.

Willow is predeceased by her mother, who died giving birth to her.

Case status:
Mark James Dunn (Father), charged with murder and child cruelty.
Shannon Leigh White (Stepmother), charged with murder and child cruelty.

Source:
Major development in alleged murder of Brisbane girl Willow Dunn
Dad & stepmum who allegedly starved toddler to death face murder trial
New developments in death investigation of four-year-old girl Willow Dunn
Heart-wrenching new detail on alleged murder of four-year-old Brisbane girl
Girl who died in family home may have been dead inside for two days
More details emerge over death of Brisbane girl, four, as her dad is accused of murder
‘Senseless’ death of toddler Willow Dunn sparks outpouring of community grief
‘Big questions’ over what could have been done to save Willow
Willow Dunn’s stepmum charged with killing disabled girl days after four-year-old’s dad accused of leaving her to starve
Willow Dunn’s father and stepmum hit with more child cruelty charges

Alejandro Ripley

Name: Alejandro Ripley.
Died: May 22, 2020.
Age at death: 9.
Cause of death: Drowning.
Location: Miami, Florida, USA.
Disability: Autism.

Details:
Alejandro’s mother allegedly tried to kill him by pushing him into a canal; but some passers-by saw the boy fall in and rescued him. Later that day, he was pushed into a different canal; this time, no one saw, and Alejandro drowned. Police say Alejandro’s mother tried to claim he had been kidnapped, but when witnesses reported the earlier murder attempt, she confessed to the lie.

Case status:
Patricia Ripley (Mother), charged with first-degree murder and other felonies.

Source:
Miami-Dade mother accused of drowning autistic son in 2020 gets new judge
Autism Memorial: Alejandro Ripley
Trial Date Set for Miami-Dade Mom Accused of Drowning Autistic Son
Tax Dollars To Help Defend Miami Mom Patricia Ripley, Accused Of Drowning Autistic Son
9-year-old boy with autism kidnapped in front of mom found dead in Miami
Non-verbal 9-year-old with autism found dead after abduction from Florida Home Depot, police say
Mother who reported abduction of 9-year-old son with autism now charged in his murder
Dead boy’s mother had attempted to kill him before, prosecutors say
Florida mom charged with the murder of son with autism
‘In a better place.’ Miami mother of drowned autistic boy admits leading him to canal, cops say
Mother Of SW Miami boy found dead charged with murder
Police Investigate Mother In Death Of SW 9-Year-Old Autistic Boy
Florida mom arrested on suspicion of killing 9-year-old son with autism after falsely reporting him kidnapped
After death of boy with autism, Miami special needs group sees rise in crisis calls
Neighbors saved autistic boy, 9, from canal an hour before ‘mom pushed him AGAIN to his death and faked kidnap’
‘He never made a sound’: Witness says she saw autistic boy fall into canal. Days later, his mother is arrested for felony murder. [Update]
Possible motive revealed in autistic boy’s murder, mother charged

Abigail Humes

Name: Abigail Gabriella Humes.
Died: May 10, 2020.
Age at death: 6.
Cause of death: Blunt-force trauma.
Location: Upper Marlboro, Maryland, USA.
Disability: Unspecified.

Details:
Abigail died from internal injuries, and her autopsy showed broken ribs.

Abigail’s nickname was “Cake” or “Cupcake”. She was a fan of Disney’s Doc McStuffins and P.J. Masks. She liked to play with her younger sister Mary.

Case status:
Immanuel Humes (Father), charged with murder and child abuse.
Jasmin Stevensen (mother), charged with neglect of a minor.

Source:
Maryland man charged with the murder of his 6-year-old disabled daughter
Upper Marlboro man charged with the murder of his 6-year-old disabled daughter
Maryland man fatally abused disabled daughter, 6, who suffered broken ribs before death, arrested with wife
Dad ‘killed disabled daughter, 6, after repeatedly physically abusing her’
Abigail Gabriella Humes – View Obituary & Service Information