After the initial evaluation of my child’s blistered foot, hospital personnel conducted a more thorough examination. They found additional injuries, including a scratch inside her ear, a scratch above her eyelid, and a bruise on her body.
The bruise was caused by an accidental pinch while trying to secure her into a Bumbo toy, an incident in which her mother mistakenly pinched her with the strap while attempting to buckle her in.
The scratch in My'Riah's ear
A few hours later, the results of the scan were returned. The doctors reported that the child had at least four broken ribs and fractures in her tibia and fibula. This news sent shockwaves through the family, as they were looking at a healthy, happy, four-month-old baby girl. No one could comprehend how this could be happening or how these injuries could have occurred.
The social workers and detectives arrived shortly afterward, eager for answers. They quickly began searching for someone to blame and to take into custody. This entire situation caught everyone off guard. The medical results, paired with the confusion and shock of the family, set off a chain of events that no one expected.
Despite the explanations provided for these minor injuries, Dr. Jacqueline Sugarman, a pediatrician at University of Kentucky Pediatric Hospital, ordered a full child abuse scan to be performed. This decision took us by surprise, especially given that there were no signs of abuse or anything indicating the child was in danger.
On December 1, 2015, the University of Kentucky provided their medical findings after the scans and evaluation of the child.
The following fractures were discovered:
5th Right Rib
8th Right Rib
9th Right Rib
9th Left Rib
Left Distal Tibial Metaphyseal Corner Fracture
It was noted that the fractures in the right 8th rib, left 9th rib, and right 9th rib were more recent than the 5th right rib, suggesting that some injuries were older than others.