Boy who died of dehydration was punished for wetting bed

Dallas News ^ | 8/27/2011 | Dallas News

[Dallas59]

A 10-year-old boy who died of dehydration after his parents deprived him of water last month was being disciplined for wetting the bed, authorities said Friday.

Documents obtained a day after Jonathan James’ father and stepmother were arrested in his death show how the boy suffered while he was denied drinking water for five days in July. And in an interview Friday, Jonathan’s grandmother said that he had called her in late June to say he was afraid to live with his father and stepmother for a month-long, court-ordered custody visit.

Jonathan died July 25 after he collapsed at the Red Bird home of his father and stepmother, and rescuers were unable to revive him

[bigjoesaddle]

Bed wetting is caused mostly by the S2 nerve being pinched by an unfused S2 segment of the sacrum. Sacrum doesn't fuse until age 12 (when boys usually "grow out" of bedwetting) Chiropractors can put this segment back in place.

[Free in Texas]

I got those strapping sessions too, with the added bonus of being forced to wear my still wet with urine underwear on my head for a few hours to really teach me a lesson. My old man was in the joint, mom was at Fort Wolters as company secretary for the 4th WOC there and couldn't keep me so I was living some with some relatives at the time.

Let's just say I got the hell out of there as soon as I could. I too, have no need for pity, but I do wish you to know that I really understand where you're coming from. I also fully concur with with your suggested course of action regarding the parents of this poor child.

[magslinger]

Each should be spayed and neutered AT THE MINIMUM.

Did you mean "Each should be spayed or neutered..." or have you hit on a creative new punishment?

[magslinger]

Not that I have a problem with the punishment. Dehydration in the later stages is pretty unpleasant until unconciousness.