Death of infant: Did system miss a sign of abuse?

After the child's arm was broken weeks earlier, it's unclear if those who knew followed reporting laws.

 http://www.pressherald.com/news/collins-faunce-will-face-charge-of-murder-today_2012-05-11.html

By David Hench dhench@mainetoday.com
Staff Writer 

 

Gordon Collins-Faunce is scheduled to appear in court today to face a murder charge in the death of his infant son, which has raised questions among child welfare advocates about whether signs of abuse in the household were ignored.

Collins-Faunce, 23, will face a charge of depraved indifference murder during his initial appearance in York County Superior Court in Alfred. He is accused of assaulting 10-week-old Ethan Henderson and causing the brain injuries that killed him.

Six weeks before Ethan died, Collins-Faunce broke the baby's arm after getting frustrated while changing his diaper, police say.

Health care professionals who treated that injury were obligated to report it to the state Department of Health and Human Services if they had any suspicion that it was the result of abuse or neglect, under state law.

"Any health care provider that looks at that kid -- that means the medical assistant who takes the kid back or the nurse who takes vital signs in an ER -- and even has an inkling of abuse and neglect is mandated to report it," said Gretchen Pianka, a pediatrician who works at the York County Community Health Care Center in Sanford.

"There should have been at least half a dozen people who should have seen that (broken arm). One must have said, 'God this is strange,'" she said. "It's supposed to be a safety net. It sounds like that safety net just broke down here."

It isn't clear exactly what treatment Ethan received for the broken arm, or who treated him.

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