Girl, 5, who weighed just SEVEN POUNDS when she died had a rare chromosome disorder that stopped her from eating and was NOT starved, insists attorney for parents facing murder charges
An attorney representing a Georgia couple that has been charged with murder for allegedly starving their five-year-old daughter to death said that the child had a rare chromosome disorder that prevented her from gaining weight.
Jerrail Mickens, 31, and Porscha Mickens, 29, made their initial court appearances on Wednesday and were ordered held without bond, more than four months after their daughter, Kylie Mickens, died weighing just 7lbs.
The couple were arrested on Tuesday on counts of felony murder and first-degree cruelty to children, having been accused of failing to provide Kylie with adequate nutrition and medical care, causing her to starve.
Jerrail Mickens, 31 , and Porscha Mickens, 29 , have been charged with felony murder and first-degree cruelty to children in the June death of their daughter, Kylie
Kylie Mickens was five years old and weighed just 7lbs when she died of malnutrition and dehydration on June 8. The Mickenses' lawyer said she suffered from a chromosome disorder
But the couple's attorney, Corinne Mull, told Atlanta Journal Constitution that Kylie suffered from 1p36 deletion syndrome, which is a rare chromosome disorder that causes severe intellectual disability, weak muscle tone, difficulty swallowing food and gaining weight, seizures, developmental delays and behavioral problems, among a wide array of other symptoms.
'She had a hard time keeping weight on from birth,' Mull told the newspaper, adding that Kylie never weighed much more than 10lbs, which is the average weight of an infant. 'This is a medical issue, not a "starvation" issue. The Mickenses' other two children are perfectly healthy.'
Just a few days after Kylie's death, her grandmother posted a message on Facebook seeking donations for her burial. In her post, the woman wrote that her granddaughter was born with 'a rare condition' and was only expected to live two years.
'However we experienced a true miracle and were able to enjoy 5 years with her,' the post read. 'Kylie was my little diva and always found a way to tell me what she liked and didn’t like. Although we are grateful for the time we had it will never be enough. Kylie’s fight is over and she is now at rest, our fight is going on.'
The Mickens couple's lawyer said both parents intend to plead not guilty to the charges against them. Mull has filed a motion seeking a bond hearing for her clients.
The Mickens couple made their initial court appearance on Wednesday and were ordered held without bond
A medical examiner found that Kylie, pictured left with her father, died as a result of medical neglect, with the manner of death being ruled a homicide. A lawyer insisted Kylie had a rare chromosome disorder
The five-year-old suffered from 1p36 deletion syndrome, which causes intellectual disability, weak muscle tone, difficulty food and gaining weight
The case began unfolding on June 7, when officials at Northeast Georgia Medical Center Braselton contacted the sheriff's office about the Mickens couple's daughter, who had been brought to the hospital for treatment by her parents.
The five-year-old, who was unresponsive and weighed approximately 7lbs, was flown to Children's Healthcare of Atlanta - Scottish Rite Hospital.
Due to Kylie’s condition and low weight, deputies notified the Hall County Division of Family and Children Services and Sheriff’s Office investigators.
The following morning, the Sheriff’s Office learned that Kiley had died and launched a four-month investigation, which included interviews, execution of a search warrant at the Mickens’ home and an autopsy by the GBI Medical Examiner’s Office.
According to autopsy results received by investigators in early October, Kylie’s cause of death was dehydration and malnutrition due to medical neglect, with the manner of death being ruled a homicide.
Both Jerrail and Porscha Mickens remained at the Hall County Jail without bond on Thursday.