Relationship: Parent – Page 36 – Disability Day of Mourning

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.

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

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

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

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

Jose Gomez

No Photo Name: Jose Breydi Gomez.
Died: January 28, 2017.
Age at death: 30.
Cause of death: Blunt head trauma.
Location: Owensboro, Kentucky, USA.
Disability: Unspecified; wheelchair user.

Details:
Jose was found beaten to death, his body under a tarp behind a vacant house. His mother’s boyfriend was arrested on suspicion of having hit him with a piece of wood, and his mother was arrested on suspicion of helping him hide the body.

Neighbors remember Jose as a friendly man who could often be seen rolling around the neighborhood in his wheelchair on sunny days.

Case status:
Yolanda Gomez (Mother), charged with tampering with evidence.
Salvador Avila-Navarrete (mother’s boyfriend), convicted of manslaughter, sentenced to 12-15 years.

Source:
Man Admits to Hitting Jose Gomez with Two-by-Four
Owensboro Man Found Dead, Mother Connected to Death
Police Arrest Mother After Son’s Body Is Found In Backyard
Body Discovered in Owensboro, Victim’s Mother, Another Man Arrested
Offender information

Michael Guzman

Name: Michael Guzman.
Died: January 22, 2017.
Age at death: 5.
Cause of death: Phenobarbital overdose.
Location: New York City, New York, USA.
Disability: Epilepsy.

Details:
Michael was found unresponsive in his 9-year-old sister’s bed; at the time, he had been dead for about twelve hours and his mother had not checked on him for longer than that.
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Medical examiners determined that Michael had died of a phenobarbital overdose. Considered suspicious from the beginning, his death was ruled a homicide after six months, but his mother evaded capture for another half a year before she was tracked down and charged.

Case status:
Phyllis Reinoso (Mother), pleaded guilty to reckless endangerment, sentenced to 1-3 years.

Source:
Mother sentenced in Guzman’s death
Child welfare workers made 13 visits before death of Queens boy
Source: ACS opened 13 cases with family before death of son, 5
Child found dead had history of epilepsy; Parents questioned
Police Investigate Death of 5-Year-Old Queens Boy
City launches probe into death of 5-year-old Queens boy
ACS couldn’t save tot after missing every red flag
Queens boy subject to ACS probe may have died from health issue
How ACS failed to save this 5-year-old boy from a house of horrors
Death of 5-year-old Queens boy deemed a homicide
Death of 5-year-old Queens boy ruled a homicide
Mom charged in death of 5-year-old found dead in Queens

Rahima Khatun and Amirul

No Photo Name: Rahima Khatun.
Age at death: Young adult.

Name: Amirul.
Age at death: Child.

Died: January 21, 2017.
Cause of death: Unspecified homicide.
Location: Angiadi, Bangladesh.
Disability: Unspecified.

Details:
Rahima Katun and her son Amirul were both killed by her husband.

Case Status:
Najrul Islam (Husband), convicted of murder, sentenced to death.

Source:
Man sentenced to death for killing disabled wife, son
Man sentenced to death for killing disabled wife and son

Yoko Kubota

No Photo Name: Yoko Kubota.
Died: January 4, 2017.
Age at death: 37.
Cause of death: Asphyxia.
Location: Tachikawa, Tokyo, Japan.
Disability: Mental disability.

Details:
Yoko’s father strangled her before committing suicide.

Case status:
Akira Kubota (Father), deceased.

Source:
Man, mentally disabled daughter found dead in murder-suicide

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