Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, July 26, 1994 TAG: 9407270025
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL PAGE: A1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: Medium
Circuit Judge Jerome James, who cleared Kathleen Padilla in the manslaughter case last week, has asked prosecutors and defense attorneys to submit briefs on whether he can issue a bench warrant for neglect. He may decide by Oct. 6.
``Diaper rash is very common, and it's common in neglect cases that come before me,'' James said. ``But this is the first case I've ever known of someone to die from diaper rash.''
Padilla, 25 and the mother of seven children, testified that she didn't know her daughter Megan's diaper rash was as bad as it was. ``I didn't know that diaper rash could kill,'' she said.
When police came to Padilla's home on Feb. 17, 1993, they found the child in her crib in a urine-soaked diaper. Diaper rash had spread throughout her abdomen. Some sores had scabs over them; others were open. Her skin was crusty and blistered around her genitals, photographs showed.
Assistant Chief Medical Examiner Leah Bush testified that the child's death was caused by a blood infection due to severe diaper rash. She said the infection got into her bloodstream and sent her into shock.
She also said the girl was dehydrated and malnourished.
Raleigh Phillips, a clinical psychologist who examined Padilla, said she scored in the borderline retardation level on intelligence tests and was a slow learner with poor hygiene. Phillips, after looking at the photos, said the mother should have been able to see that the child needed care.
Padilla said she took her daughter to a doctor about a week before she died but could not get an appointment until March 1.
by CNB