Boston Criminal Lawyer Blog
Kristen LaBrie, a 37-year-old Salem mother, has pleaded not guilty to the attempted murder of her son. LaBrie is accused of withholding her son’s cancer treatment before his death. Jeremy, 9, was autistic.
In October 2006, Jeremy was diagnosed with non-Hodgkins lymphoma. Doctors gave him an 85-90% chance of recovery. Following chemotherapy treatment, his cancer went into remission.
Prosecutors are accusing LaBrie of child endangerment, permitting substantial bodily injury to a child, and permitting serious bodily injury to a disabled person. They claim that LaBrie did not fill her son’s prescriptions for months, allowed him to miss doctors appointments, and never asked staffers at Massachusetts General Hospital for help.
After the boy’s cancer returned, Fraser, who was given custody of Jeremy, placed him in a hospice. The boy died last March.
LaBrie’s Massachusetts criminal defense lawyer says that the 37-year-old mother is a victim in this case because Jeremy’s father, Eric Fraser, abandoned the boy with his mother. From 2006 to 2008, LaBrie was the only one responsible for taking care of their son. Fraser was given custody of Jeremy in 2008.
LaBrie says that she and her son fought his illness together. She says the true story of what happened will emerge in court.
If convicted, LaBrie could face up to 40 years in prison.
Child Endangerment
Under Massachusetts law, the crime of child endangerment involves the reckless or wanton conduct that causes risk of serious injury to someone under age 18. Serious bodily injury may involve permanent disfigurement, impairment of a bodily function, organ, or limb, or substantial risk of death.
If you have been accused of endangering a child in Massachusetts, it is important that the criminal defense team that you hire knows how to defend you against this charge. This is a serious criminal offense.
Salem mother pleads not guilty to withholding son’s cancer treatment, Boston.com, July 6, 2009
Mom denies withholding son’s medications, MSNBC, July 6, 2009
Related Web Resource:
The General Laws of Massachusetts
Contact our Massachusetts criminal defense law firm today.
