GUILTY MA - Rebecca Riley, 4, dies of drug OD, Hull, 13 Dec 2006

[lavonne]

To drug your own child so as to convenience yourself is beyond selfish. I can see it now. Mommy is going to claim battered woman syndrome or something to that nature. Once again, as we have seen all too often, somehow these two animals will attempt to avoid all responsibility they have in this little girl's death.

I hope they have a short, painful stint in State Prison, while being force-fed multiple doses of Clonidine.

This is beyond tragic, because the parents knew exactly what they were doing, and they did it anyway.

 

[Kymistry35]

I don't understand why she was even in the house when the father was already going to court for molesting a step child.

 

[southcitymom]

The doctor shares at least as much blame as her family. Bipolar disorder in a 2 and 1/2 year old - outrageous.

 

[LionRun]

The doctor shares at least as much blame as her family. Bipolar disorder in a 2 and 1/2 year old - outrageous.

I totally agree southcitymom. And, I wonder how much of little Rebecca's, "mental illness" or, "behavioural disorder" or whatever was actually due to the result of child abuse of perhaps more than one kind, and not at all due to bipolar or ADD.

Lion

 

[Boyz_Mum]

In the above news article, it says that the 'parents' would have reasons to refill the prescriptions for clonadine early (or ahead of the date), so how does the pharmacy 'regulate' this type of obvious abuse of meds? In this case the pharmacy actually gave the parents more refills... I've never heard of such a thing! If nothing else, you would hope the pharmacy or doctor would have thought something odd was going on with all this medicine being dispensed?

This story is so sad! This poor little girl was drugged to death and her siblings were (according to the article) also on the meds. How could a doctor not see this?

It's very scary for me to think that any doctor would give an ADHD diagnosis and bipolar at the tender age of 2 and a 1/2. At these tender ages, between 2 and 4, aren't most children rather busy? Some more than others?

May Rebecca rest in peace. May the other children in the house go on to live a 'normal' life without lifelong problems and without medicine.

 

[Vegas Bride]

I hope the other children are able to get help. Such a sad and senseless death, this little girl was never allowed to be a child, just drug her up so she's not a bother. Why have children if all you want to do is sleep all day except to get up to eat? Neither parent working and living off of assistance, I guess having more children meant they got a bigger check.

VB

 

[Amraann]

WTF??

How on earth does a DR deside a 2 yo is bipolar???
2 year olds are inherently hyper and talkative.

 

[bigbuck]

WTF??

How on earth does a DR deside a 2 yo is bipolar???
2 year olds are inherently hyper and talkative.

It's all about money. Somebody has to pay for her and, her siblings visits, treatments and meds. Just bill the State, our tax dollars will cover it.

 

[Invisible]

Why do people like this keep having kids?????? This couple should not be allowed to have more childred.

 

[tezi]

Personally, I think to diagnose a child of two and a half as being bi-polar is pushing the envelope. Maybe ADHD, but not bi-polar. I guess bi-polar is the label that fits everyone these days, when you have to say something is wrong with someone.

The doctor needs to be looked at here too, I just don't understand how she could keep refilling the prescription when it wasn't time. Something stinks, and part of it is the diagnoses that the doctor gave this child.

 

[southcitymom]

Personally, I think to diagnose a child of two and a half as being bi-polar is pushing the envelope. Maybe ADHD, but not bi-polar. I guess bi-polar is the label that fits everyone these days, when you have to say something is wrong with someone.

The doctor needs to be looked at here too, I just don't understand how she could keep refilling the prescription when it wasn't time. Something stinks, and part of it is the diagnoses that the doctor gave this child.

I think to diagnose a 2 and 1/2 year old with ADHD OR Bi-polar is more than pushing the envelope. It is downright insane. I don't know how any doctor could make these diagnoses of a toddler this age with a straight face.

 

[Amraann]

I think to diagnose a 2 and 1/2 year old with ADHD OR Bi-polar is more than pushing the envelope. It is downright insane. I don't know how any doctor could make these diagnoses of a toddler this age with a straight face.

I agree!! 210% How does someone even gage the mood swings of a toddler??
Or how can you decide that a two year old has no attention span??

 

[southcitymom]

I agree!! 210% How does someone even gage the mood swings of a toddler??
Or how can you decide that a two year old has no attention span??

I have to wonder if this "doctor" has ever met a 2-year-old he wouldn't diagnose with such a "disorder"? It truly boils my blood.

 

[dr dona]

I've practiced Pediatrics for 27 years and have never diagnosed or treated a child of this tender age with either of these two disorders!!!
All two year olds are active, autonomous and their favorite word is "NO"!!
It's normal!!! If this age child is overly aggressive I refer the parents and child for an evaluation- usually its the parents that need to learn parenting skills. The child needs Time Outs- not spankings etc. These parents were lazy and wanted to shut the kid up!!!! Most 2 yr olds need redirection when they are misbehaving.
They need praise for good behavior. Time outs are usually reserved for biting, hitting others etc. You can't sit on your hindend and scream NO at a 2 year old for everthing he does!!!

 

[tezi]

I've practiced Pediatrics for 27 years and have never diagnosed or treated a child of this tender age with either of these two disorders!!!
All two year olds are active, autonomous and their favorite word is "NO"!!
It's normal!!! If this age child is overly aggressive I refer the parents and child for an evaluation- usually its the parents that need to learn parenting skills. The child needs Time Outs- not spankings etc. These parents were lazy and wanted to shut the kid up!!!! Most 2 yr olds need redirection when they are misbehaving.
They need praise for good behavior. Time outs are usually reserved for biting, hitting others etc. You can't sit on your hindend and scream NO at a 2 year old for everthing he does!!!

Amen Dr. Dona! I forgot to qualify my answer above about ADHD. My son is ADHD, it seems to be a problem that runs in my husband's side of the family. He is also dyslexic just like his father. He is fifteen now, and I had him on medication for a very short period of time, exactly one month. My son was not my son anymore. He slept all the time, this was when he was 12. I figured I would learn new ways to curb his behavior when it got out of hand, and find someway to help with his dyslexia. The school district where we live has NOT been very helpful. They want him on medication and I refuse, absolutely refuse. They have referred me to DHS. I explained to the caseworker I was not going to have my child ingest some sort of speed, I was already limiting his sugar, caffeine, and anything else I could think of to help. Guess what, they agreed with me.

Both of my daughters are bi-polar like I am, they were diagnosed when they were 15 and 14. My oldest daughter is now 18, and she never liked the idea of medication and refused to take it. My youngest daughter is now 16, and she takes her medication to help her sleep and to help control her anger management issues. Both are doing fine. In my youngest daughter's case, she does need medication to help her, and she knows it. My oldest daughter isn't near as bad, plus she is going to have a baby in June, so medication was out of the question for the last six months. Both have a therapist they see regularly, and my youngest daughter sees her psychiatrist every other month.

If someone would have told me at the age of two that any of my children were bi-polar or ADHD, I would have to ask them what they were smoking.

 

[Cheetah]

This is a sad story, I do believe the parent's were to blame in this particular case, but children being diagnosed as bipolar happens way to often. It's referred to as "early onset bi-polar". I don't understand why anyone would have the authority to make such a diagnosis in toddlers.

I wish I had links, but I researched this issue a few years ago and was appalled at the number of children and toddlers being diagnosed and medicated. I did this research after my sister was diagnosed at the age of 8. She came to live with me at that time after years of being abused by her father. Now....her father's family does have a history of mental illness, but I knew her behaviour was due to the abuse. She was placed with me by a state agency, they actually wanted to admit her into a mental health facility. I fought with them over the medication issue and eventually was given permanent custody. She is now 13 and doing fine, well aside from normal hormones, but anyway I don't know where she would be now had I followed their advice. My sister was never taught right from wrong, she was just hit. Her parents were both drug addicts and she had a very rough childhood. The only diagnosis that I ever agreed with was post-traumatic stress disorder, she never needed medication.

In my research I also found that alot of abused kids are placed in mental health facilities and medicated. Some of them stay there for years. I know from experience that most of these kids just need a little therapy and some love and they are fine. I don't get the whole mental illness in children issue. Another thing is the drugs being given to these children hasn't even been approved for use in children, yet Doctor's are allowed to prescribe it??? I don't get it

 

[Amraann]

This is a sad story, I do believe the parent's were to blame in this particular case, but children being diagnosed as bipolar happens way to often. It's referred to as "early onset bi-polar". I don't understand why anyone would have the authority to make such a diagnosis in toddlers.

I wish I had links, but I researched this issue a few years ago and was appalled at the number of children and toddlers being diagnosed and medicated. I did this research after my sister was diagnosed at the age of 8. She came to live with me at that time after years of being abused by her father. Now....her father's family does have a history of mental illness, but I knew her behaviour was due to the abuse. She was placed with me by a state agency, they actually wanted to admit her into a mental health facility. I fought with them over the medication issue and eventually was given permanent custody. She is now 13 and doing fine, well aside from normal hormones, but anyway I don't know where she would be now had I followed their advice. My sister was never taught right from wrong, she was just hit. Her parents were both drug addicts and she had a very rough childhood. The only diagnosis that I ever agreed with was post-traumatic stress disorder, she never needed medication.

In my research I also found that alot of abused kids are placed in mental health facilities and medicated. Some of them stay there for years. I know from experience that most of these kids just need a little therapy and some love and they are fine. I don't get the whole mental illness in children issue. Another thing is the drugs being given to these children hasn't even been approved for use in children, yet Doctor's are allowed to prescribe it??? I don't get it

Cheetah you are correct in that these drugs have not been approved for children.

I am absolutely disgusted reading of this case. I can't get a Dr to prescribe meds to my autistic son.
My hubby was reading of this case over my shoulder and he thinks its the Dr's fault.
After listening to his arguement I tend to agree. In a nut shell ... He basically said that not all parents are as proactive as you and I cheetah.
I could not even imagine not researching any procedure or medication given to my child but as he pointed out very many people whatever a Dr says or does is like the words of God.
And go totally unquestioned.
He also mentioned that it is Highly likely that this girls parents themselves were not only undereducated but possibly bordered on mental retardation.
All they may have known is that this medication made her behave. I am not justifying their choice to over medicate but I think its the DR at fault here.

I find it disgusting that a 2 yo would be diagnosed as being bi-polar and I think it was Tez above who said her teens were diagnosed the same...

I ask what toddler or teen is NOT bi-polar?? Its simply how everyone is at that age not a disorder.

 

[angelmom]

I think bi-polar is becoming the new ADD...as in, overdiagnosed to increasingly younger children.

I know of 2 children who are 10 and are diagnosed as bi-polar. One I only know in the most superficial way, so I have no way of knowing what this is based on. I know the grandparents, and I know that after a lot of therapy and agonizing, the child had to be placed in an inpatient psychiatric facility for over 2 weeks due to increasing fears about her harming her sister or herself, so who knows.

The other is someone we are casually friends with. I know some, but not all of the intimate details. I have personally seen the injuries this boy has inflicted on his mother when they were trying to change medications due to the side effects. He also ended up having to be hospitalized so that they could get him off of all meds, do several tests, and then determine the appropriate meds again. The difference between him off and on the meds is unbelievable. I feel so sorry for his parents.

However, having said that, I am hearing this dx being tossed around with more and more frequency by pediatricians and parents and teachers (including preschool teachers and daycare workers!) to the point that it is scary. This is exactly what it was like 15 years ago as an elementary school teacher with Ritalin and ADD. There were kids who absolutely needed it and it made all the difference in the world for them, and there were parents and teachers who needed it to control their kids. Only one group should actually be getting the prescriptions, and they are in the minority, IMHO.

 

[lavonne]

It sounds to me that you are giving the parents an "out" for this.

I am clearly in minority when I place the blame squarely on the parents shoulders.

They knew what they were doing, it is clear. Whenever the child knocked on the door or cried, she was given another pill so the parents wouldn't be incovenienced with having to raise their children.

Abuse of the medication to keep the children in a catatonic state is not the doctors fault, it is the parents for choosing to over-medicate their kids.

Although I do agree that diagnosing bi-polar disorder in a toddler is gross negligence, the bottom line is that this was child abuse....and there is no reason to be making excuses for the parents....they killed their own child!

 

[angelmom]

I would also being more willing to cut the parents some slack if the doctor had not warned them that increasing the dose could kill the child...and then they increased the dose!!!