Posted on 03/06/2008 4:27:21 PM PST by wagglebee
BOSTON, March 6, 2008 (LifeSiteNews.com) - Haleigh Poutre, now 14, was so brutally beaten more than two years ago by her adoptive parents, that she was left in a coma from which she was never expected to revive. However, she may now be well enough to testify against the man accused of assaulting her.
Haleigh has spent the last two years recovering at the Franciscan Hospital for Children near Boston. On Sept. 11, 2005, Haleigh was taken to hospital in "an unresponsive state", according to court documents. "Haleigh had both old and new bruises, old and new open cuts, several apparent weeping burns, and a CAT scan revealed a subdural hematoma [a collection of blood on the surface of the brain]."
After the adoptive parents, Jason and Holli Strickland, were arrested, Holli committed suicide, leaving only the stepfather in charge of making medical decisions.
Haleigh then became a ward of the Massachusetts Department of Social Services, which sought and obtained a court order in October, 2005, to remove her life support, only six days after the state had gained custody over her.
Ironically, it was Jason Strickland who fought to keep her alive, though his incentive to do so may have been the possibility of facing murder charges if she had died.
Fortunately for Haleigh, the slowness of the court appeals process spared her life. The court made its final decision to euthanize her in January, 2006, by which time she was showing signs of alertness. Just days before doctors were going to remove her life support systems she began breathing on her own, and the Department of Social Services halted plans to remove her feeding tube.
Haleigh is now in rehabilitation and is enrolled at the day school at Franciscan Hospital for Children. She can communicate by using a keyboard and computer and can speak some words.
The irony in this case is that Jason Strickland, who faces multiple assault charges, but in the long run ultimately saved Haleigh's life, may be convicted by Haleigh's testimony against him, while the Massachusetts Department of Social Services, which sought to kill her after being told she wouldn't have a "meaningful" life, won't be at court.
Read previous LifeSiteNews.com coverage:
Comatose 11 Year-Old Girl Breathing on Her Own May Still be Dehydrated to Death
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2006/jan/06012012.html
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Haleigh Ping!
She should tell those who made the decision to “remove life support” exactly how she feels about almost being murdered a second time.
You go, girl!!!
Greer and Felos are deeply saddened.
“After the adoptive parents, Jason and Holli Strickland, were arrested, Holli committed suicide...”
The only bright spot in this otherwise tragic tale.
I give no quarter to people that harm children or domesticated animals. None.
Me too.
I’ll bet the scientologist Terri Schiavo haters are soooooo POd about this!
Me either. I’m hoping he gets a very big, very mean cellmate who will turn him into the prison bit$h!
No doubt. And Mickey Schiavo.
Should the federal government have stepped in to protect her right to life if the state of Massachusetts tried to kill her?
One would think so but not Barack Obama and a whole host of folks on the right. Their reasoning?
Evidently state sanctioned death sentences imposed on innocent children are none of the federal governments business.
Laugh or cry if you will but that's their position.
“She should tell those who made the decision to remove life support exactly how she feels about almost being murdered a second time.”
I wish someone would say it in her behalf. At 14 she might not, but she will be older some day.
We lit candles and prayed for this little girl way back when. We thank the Lord she came through on the other side.
Laugh or cry if you will but that's their position.
You are, tragically, 100% correct.
It is getting very difficult to protect innocent life, when people on both the right and left are condoning murder.
More than most good souls can wrap their intellect around, I'd think.
What a glorious day that will be.
I remember praying for this little girl. I’m so thankful to hear she that she will be able to testify against him.
May God continue to bless her.
There are several ~ DHS executives, Judges, ..... Just exactly who and how many do you mean?
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