May. 27, 2011
WARNER ROBINS -- The finalized autopsy report of a 2-year-old boy authorities believed was starved to death by his parents confirmed the initial findings of malnutrition.
Houston County Coroner Danny Galpin said the final report concluded that the cause of death was malnutrition.
Houston County Coroner Danny Galpin said the final report concluded that the cause of death was malnutrition.
William Thomas Davis III
The parents, Sade Shamon King and William Thomas Davis III, are awaiting trial on charges of malice murder, felony murder, two counts of cruelty to children and two counts of aggravated battery.
The emaciated body of D’Shawn Davis was found Sept. 11, 2010, on the floor of the bedroom of the couple’s home at 104 Tiffany Place. Houston Healthcare emergency medical workers responded to a 911 call from his mother, who reported the child was not breathing, authorities said.
The toddler weighed 12 pounds 6 ounces at his death.
“In view of the circumstances, the history, the medical records and the autopsy, the cause of death ... is malnutrition,” the autopsy findings stated. “He demonstrated progressive gain of weight and length for one year in the medical records of the physician.
“For the second year of life, he was not seen by a physician and decrease of growth in length and the loss of weight to less than the zero to 5 percent of the percentile. The manner of death is homicide,” the autopsy findings stated.
The zero to 5 percent of the percentile refers to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention charts that show growth for a boy from birth to 36 months.
The autopsy noted as contributing factors: weight 12.6 pounds in the zero to 5 percent percentile; atrophy of the heart, liver and kidneys; decrease and/or no fat of the omentum and subcutaneous soft tissue; diaper rash and decubitus ulcer of the skin of the head.
Under the abdomen and umbilicus, ulcer, category of the autopsy, there was a notation of an “ulcer of epidermis with acute inflammation.”
Houston County public defender Nick White, who is representing Davis, has said that the defense believes the boy possibly suffered from a pre-existing medical condition that led to his malnourished state.
In March, White said extended family members have indicated the boy was healthy, and it was only in the last few months of his life that he began to only be able to take select foods. On the day of the boy’s death, he was unable to hold down grits, White said.
White also said in March the case was being held up by having not yet received the autopsy report.
White, whose office indicated he was on vacation, could not be reached immediately for comment Thursday on his cell phone.
David G. Daniell, a Warner Robins attorney representing King, also had expressed concern in not having received the official report from the coroner. Daniell declined comment Thursday through his office.
King and Davis are being held without bond at the Houston County jail.
Telegraph archives were used in this report. To contact writer Becky Purser, call 256-9559.
The emaciated body of D’Shawn Davis was found Sept. 11, 2010, on the floor of the bedroom of the couple’s home at 104 Tiffany Place. Houston Healthcare emergency medical workers responded to a 911 call from his mother, who reported the child was not breathing, authorities said.
The toddler weighed 12 pounds 6 ounces at his death.
“In view of the circumstances, the history, the medical records and the autopsy, the cause of death ... is malnutrition,” the autopsy findings stated. “He demonstrated progressive gain of weight and length for one year in the medical records of the physician.
“For the second year of life, he was not seen by a physician and decrease of growth in length and the loss of weight to less than the zero to 5 percent of the percentile. The manner of death is homicide,” the autopsy findings stated.
The zero to 5 percent of the percentile refers to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention charts that show growth for a boy from birth to 36 months.
The autopsy noted as contributing factors: weight 12.6 pounds in the zero to 5 percent percentile; atrophy of the heart, liver and kidneys; decrease and/or no fat of the omentum and subcutaneous soft tissue; diaper rash and decubitus ulcer of the skin of the head.
Under the abdomen and umbilicus, ulcer, category of the autopsy, there was a notation of an “ulcer of epidermis with acute inflammation.”
Houston County public defender Nick White, who is representing Davis, has said that the defense believes the boy possibly suffered from a pre-existing medical condition that led to his malnourished state.
In March, White said extended family members have indicated the boy was healthy, and it was only in the last few months of his life that he began to only be able to take select foods. On the day of the boy’s death, he was unable to hold down grits, White said.
White also said in March the case was being held up by having not yet received the autopsy report.
White, whose office indicated he was on vacation, could not be reached immediately for comment Thursday on his cell phone.
David G. Daniell, a Warner Robins attorney representing King, also had expressed concern in not having received the official report from the coroner. Daniell declined comment Thursday through his office.
King and Davis are being held without bond at the Houston County jail.
Telegraph archives were used in this report. To contact writer Becky Purser, call 256-9559.
http://www.macon.com/2011/05/27/1575201/autopsy-confirms-finding-of-malnutrition.html#ixzz1OP70Jwhh
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