While the joys of being a parent or guardian can be endless, child neglect and abuse lawyers warn all to take the job very seriously. Until the age of 18, a parent is legally responsible for the emotional and physical well-being of the child. Any indication that a guardian is neglecting these obligations can result in the termination of parental rights and even criminal charges. Sometimes, it is the parent who makes an incriminating statement, landing themselves in hot water. Such are the circumstances in a recent case involving a Michigan man who is accused of child abuse and murder following the death of his infant son.
On June 10th, law enforcement officials were dispatched to the home of Richard Gillis III, 22, after his four month-old son stopped breathing. Richard Gillis IV was immediately rushed to the hospital where he was put on life support and eventually died on Tuesday. According to medical examiners, the infant died from craniocerebral trauma, noting multiple injuries including: fractured ribs, skull fractures and cranial bleeding. Gillis allegedly slammed the child’s head against a table to get him to stop crying right before emergency medical crews were called. Also, because Gillis admitted to investigators that he plays roughly with his son, prompted investigators to believe that child abuse played a role here. As a result, police arrested Gillis, charging him with felony murder and first-degree child abuse.
Despite the charges against Gillis, medical examiners also noted that some injuries present were older ones. Evidence from social media also supports this claim, as the infant was in-and-out of doctor’s offices earlier this spring with a potentially fatal syndrome. During a lengthy hospital stay in March, physicians allegedly diagnosed the child with Ohtahara Syndrome, a “severely progressive” disease often causing death. Those that live through the disease are almost always left seriously disabled. Without a doubt, this information is certainly something that Gillis’ child abuse attorneys would want to present at trial.
However, the the Oakland County Sheriff Lt. Clay Jansson insists that although detectives were aware of a few pre-existing medical conditions, none were life-threatening. “The child did have some medical issues, but certainly none, based on what I’ve been told by experts, that would create a situation in which this child would die,” Jansson explained.
It will certainly be interesting to follow this case, as it is a perfect example of how serious charges of child abuse & neglect are. Not only is Gillis facing public humiliation and the termination his of parental rights, but a lengthy prison sentence as well. Because of the serious consequences associated with child abuse charges, it is essential for a defendant to seek experienced CPS attorneys in Michigan. Doing so immediately will not only provide the best legal advice and legal representation, but help keep you from behind bars and with your family.
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