Okay, I read both autopsies and these are the (likely odd to others) things that stood out to me.
First I was so angry that this woman was healthy. I know, a stupid thing but each time I read that her organs and everything were healthy I got more angry. The number of people who could have been saved by those organs. (Though admittedly many would not want them.) She even had good TEETH! The number of good moms who are not that healthy, just another opportunity she squandered.
I was also surprised that she was sober. I was surprised they didn't test her for more drugs than they did, especially because they did test Lucas for a LOT of them. I was glad they were that thorough and were able to test at least the liver.
Obviously reading Lucas' was heartbreaking. No family should have to hear that stuff about their child. So nauseating. I do wish a cause of death had been able to be discovered.
However, I take SOME comfort in the fact that he didn't have a ton of broken bones (like Sherin did.) I realize that doesn't mean he didn't suffer. However, the lack of broken bones at least makes me feel like he somehow suffered less.
As far as the ribs go, they weren't broken or it would have mentioned there were healing/healed fractures. X-rays performed showed no obvious evidence of skeletal trauma. Broken ribs that had healed would show up.
My husband went in for a shoulder x-ray at 25 years old and found out he had broken his collarbone as a child. Didn't have a clue before that x-ray.
While I realize periosteal reaction often accompanies injury, it doesn't have to be a break. It can be bruised ribs, it also CAN be caused by some interventions like chest physical therapy. Without knowing for sure all the therapies and medical procedures Lucas had done, we couldn't assume it was abuse either.
So basically... after reading the list of Sherin's injuries.... Lucas' autopsy report was a relief. Maybe I just need to hold onto the hope that he didn't suffer too much. No fractured skull, no broken ribs, no broken limbs.
The only question is about strangulation. Since they didn't find those bones, that remains a question as well. I wish they'd go out and look some more. I know they found some bones in the debris.... I wonder if they could find more.
I also noted that the gunshot essentially "internally decapitated" her (atlanto-occipital dislocation). Which is what occurs when a child forward facing in a vehicle is involved in a crash. Because a baby's head is so large and the bone development isn't enough to withstand the forces. (Kids should rear face until they outgrow the seat. 2 years at a minimum, my kids do until 4 or 5.)
This is actually a 4 year old, so rear facing as long as possible is best.
What is internal decapitation and how did child survive?
I don't know anything about guns, so that was a surprising amount of force to me, even after reading about the external damage. I guess I just hadn't given much thought to that. It's an incredibly amount of force. Not sure how JH ever gets that image out of his head. I will honestly be surprised if he makes it through this.
Just my thoughts, I wanted to wait until after Saturday to share them.
