Posted On: April 19, 2007
Expert Witness Testifies Toddler was Struck with 'substantial' force, expert testifies
Dr. Andreas A. Theodorou, a pediatric expert witness, testified that the 2005 death of a 16-month-old child likely stemmed from a deliberate violent injury. Emily Mays died in Aug. 24, 2005, while in foster care. Her injuries included a subdural hematoma, or bleeding on the brain. The foster parents told authorities that Emily hit her head when she fell against a changing table in their home.
As reported in the Tuscon Citizen, the expert witness testified:
"The force it takes for a subdural hematoma is substantial, like falling several stories, being flung to a wall or a high-speed auto accident. It's not caused by rolling off a changing table or by a linear fall of a few feet."
His testimony will be key to determine if charges should be filed against Emily's foster parents, Randall and Penny West.
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