A Dangerous Obsession: The Tragic Case of a Mother’s Deception”

Since birth on December 3, 2008, a young child struggled with severe health issues. At just two months old, the child began experiencing difficulties keeping food down and started losing weight. The mother tried switching from breast milk to formula, then a combination of both, but these changes did not help. Eventually, she took the child to the doctor, who found elevated sodium levels likely causing the symptoms. An IV was administered to flush the sodium, which improved the child's condition temporarily. The doctor suggested it could be due to something in the formula or breast milk and provided advice on diet.

Despite following the doctor's advice, the child's sodium levels remained erratic over the following months. After nine months of ongoing issues and no clear answers, a specialist recommended a feeding tube to ensure precise nutrient intake. This improved the child’s condition, leading doctors to suspect an ingredient in the formula or breast milk. However, the child’s sodium levels continued to spike intermittently, causing stomach pains, headaches, and seizures. The mother meticulously tracked every food and fluid, but medical interventions only offered temporary relief.

In 2012, when the child was four, the family moved to a retirement community where they found happiness. The mother started a blog to share their struggles, which garnered significant support from readers aware of the family's hardships, including the loss of the child's father in a car accident before birth.

In January 2014, the child experienced a high fever, stomach pains, and a seizure. At the hospital, tests revealed high sodium levels again. Although initial treatment helped, the child's condition worsened, leading to transfer to a specialized children's hospital. Despite efforts to stabilize sodium levels, severe brain swelling resulted, leading to death a few days later.

Following the child's death, doctors reviewed medical records and surveillance footage. They discovered the mother had taken the child to the bathroom with a white cup and attachment to the feeding tube. Shortly after returning to bed, the child became violently ill, and sodium levels spiked critically. An investigation revealed that the mother had been intentionally poisoning the child with salt, evident from the salt found throughout the house and an IV bag containing saltwater.

The mother had a history of seeking attention through deceit, including fabricating illnesses and falsifying details about the child’s father. After the child’s death, she was convicted for her actions and sentenced to 20 years to life in prison.