A shocking case of child abuse has emerged in Minnesota, as a couple is accused of harming one of their conjoined twins who recently underwent separation surgery. Valerie J. James, 20, and Robert L. Heck III, 27, face charges of felony first-degree assault for their alleged actions against the 4-month-old baby.
The police in Rochester, Minn., have scheduled a news conference for Thursday to discuss the case. While Heck denied the allegations, further comments will not be made until he consults with his attorney. The couple had previously welcomed the twin boys, Jacob and Jordan, in November.
Immediately after birth, the boys underwent a successful separation surgery at the Mayo Clinic. Sadly, it is not clear which child sustained the injuries. The hospitalized twin was released to his parents, who were staying at a Ronald McDonald House in Rochester, while the other twin remained under medical care.
Blue Earth County has initiated legal action to terminate the couple’s parental rights for both the twins and their older daughter. According to a criminal complaint, the injured child was readmitted to the hospital due to swelling in his body.
Medical examinations revealed eight fractures in his legs and 16 rib fractures, some of which were in the process of healing. Experts conducted tests to rule out a genetic disorder that could cause fragile bones, but the results came back negative. Lt. Dan Muyres stated that the injuries required a significant amount of force to inflict.
Additionally, the complaint mentioned a previous order of protection against Heck filed by a former girlfriend in 2004, who accused him of hurting her three children.
This distressing case highlights the importance of protecting vulnerable infants who are unable to defend themselves.
SOURCE” Foxnews
Oh this absolutely makes me sick! I get so angry when I hear things like this and it breaks my heart. I don’t know how anyone could hurt a baby or a child. It is just sickening. We have had two babies in Guelph recently die from shaken baby syndrome. Something needs to be done about all of this abuse that goes on.
I do know that abuse of special needs is something that happens a lot. You know, every time that I take Ashton to a certain doctor the nurse checks him up and down. At first I was a little upset that she would think that I would do something but then I realized that she just cares. ALL doctors should do this whenever they see a child. If more people did what this nurse does then I believe abusers would be caught more!
I just don’t know how these people can live with themselves after what they do! I sure hope that these children are taken away from the parents and placed with someone that will love them!