Posted on 03/12/2009 12:09:05 PM PDT by Paved Paradise
CLEVELAND — Willie Robinson's parents claimed they couldn't afford medical treatment for the dying 8-year-old boy's cancer, prosecutors said, but they had enough money to pay a veterinarian to treat their pet pit bull for fleas. A Cuyahoga County grand jury on Wednesday indicted William Robinson Sr. and Monica Hussing for involuntary manslaughter, child endangering and felonious assault.
Willie died nearly a year ago, on March 22, shortly after he was admitted to MetroHealth Medical Center suffering from the final stages of Hodgkin's lymphoma, one of the most common and curable of cancers to strike children. The county coroner found that the child died of the cancer and pneumonia, but ruled his death a homicide.
Prosecutors said parental neglect was as responsible for Willie's death as the diseases.
"They never once took him to a doctor," said County Prosecutor Bill Mason. "It just is not right. This kid should be alive today."
Investigators said while Willie suffered without care, his parents paid $87 to have the pit bull, Petey, treated for fleas.
Assistant County Prosecutor Anna Faraglia worked on the case for the past year with police and family members. She said she is outraged by how the parents ignored a child who begged them to take him to see a doctor, but was rejected.
"There were some horrific symptoms," she said. "What weren't they seeing? Even a blind person would have known there was something wrong with him."
The parents were not arrested Wednesday, and have remained free since Willie's death. They will appear in court for an arraignment hearing in about two weeks, Faraglia said.
It will be just as outrageous and wrong. Additionally, there is a HUGE diff between parents wanting to get care and being turned down and parents simply turning a blind eye while they are toking up...
You are right - they are monsters.
I did a search on “pit bull” and another key term and did not see your post pop up - sorry for the dup.
I wonder what the two “clowns” look like.
I think that’s a bad comparison. But you do have a point.
You can't have it both ways.
All of you people that even bring up the mention that the cost is different are very, very scary. Please tell me you have no children... please.
I don't disagree. I'm just posting "coming attractions."
OY. You are SO missing the point, sir. Your point actually makes my case. However, I would agree with you that they chose THEMSELVES above all else. That is where I think you hit the nail on the head.
Ever hear of the Shriner’s Hospitals? They are FREE to ANY child, regardless of the parents’ ability to pay.
Well... can’t disagree with you there... I do think this is where we’re going as well.
I don’t see the relevance of the pit bull. Cancer treatment is a bit more than $87, so the analogy falls flat. You don’t need weak analogies to point out obvious idiots.
There are thousands of people here locally that would have aided that boy if the parents had gone for help. I read stories all the time here in Cleveland. There was a lady who had her legs hacked off in a car accident and someone anonymously sent 10K to help. There is no dearth of compassion here.
They didn’t care. And thanks for making a good point about the good work that many do.
Seriously!
1. Yes, there is,. Hundreds of thousands of $.\
2. Private charities like the Shriners Hospitals are glad to do it. No.
3. Probably not. The parents have been indicted.
Me either. My son is an adult now... 31 years old and I would have died for him as a child and, even now, if I thought I could spare him suffering by taking it on myself, I would do it.
If you believe that then you have missed some interesting threads .
Absolutely...and had he been seen in time...hospice would’nt have been needed.....
Well judging by them being former potheads and where they were living, I have a few ideas...
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