The trial has kicked off for parents facing accusations of neglecting a boy who tragically passed away almost three years ago in Washington state.
According to prosecutors, in their opening statements this week, 15-year-old Karreon Franks weighed just 61 pounds when he lost his life due to severe neglect and starvation, as reported by The Columbian.
Felicia Adams, 54, and Jesse Franks, 58, are facing charges of domestic violence, homicide by abuse, and second-degree murder in connection with Karreon's tragic passing in November 2020. Additionally, they are charged with two counts of second-degree criminal mistreatment of Karreon's two younger siblings.
Adams, who is the children's aunt, adopted them back in 2012 in California and subsequently relocated with them and Franks to Vancouver, as per the prosecutors' account.
Legal representatives addressing the Clark County Superior Court jury on Wednesday stated that Karreon had severe developmental delays and was nonverbal due to his autism.
In contrast, attorneys representing Adams and Franks argued that Karreon's medical conditions were responsible for his unfortunate demise. They asserted that he had digestive issues and struggled to keep food down, with aspiration pneumonia initially being listed as the cause of his passing.
Franks' defense attorney, Alyosha McClain, emphasized the tragedy of a child's death and claimed that in this case, the focus should not be on blaming Felicia Adams and Jesse Franks for the loss.
On November 27, 2020, Adams took Karreon to a hospital, where he was declared deceased roughly 15 minutes later. The attending physician noted his severe emaciation and requested the involvement of Child Protective Services, according to Senior Deputy Prosecutor Erik Podhora, who addressed the jury.
After receiving Karreon's body, the staff at a Vancouver funeral home contacted the Clark County Medical Examiner's Office because they found the circumstances concerning. The medical examiner's office later determined that Karreon had succumbed to starvation and neglect.
Child Protective Services and law enforcement took Karreon's brothers into protective custody following his death, with Podhora noting that their health improved quickly afterward.
The couple was arrested several months later and extradited from San Joaquin County, California, on fugitive from justice warrants issued by Clark County.
Podhora stated that evidence would reveal that Karreon had been previously growing and maintaining a healthy weight. The last time he was seen by a medical provider was in July 2019 when he weighed 115 pounds, according to the prosecutor.
Podhora also mentioned that Karreon's teachers at Evergreen Public Schools had described him as an active and lively student. However, things took a sharp turn when the school switched to virtual learning during the COVID-19 pandemic.
He added that despite food being available in the household, the boys did not have access to it.
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