The Ultimate Betrayal – Brianna Lopez By Emily Thompson While bringing a new born baby home from hospital is often a jubilant moment filled with love and excitement, this was not the case for Brianna Lopez. As soon as Brianna entered the home, she became the victim to unimaginable abuse. Oct 1, 2020 • 5 min read
Morbidology the Podcast – 64: Ame Deal By Emily Thompson Casual witnesses to abuse do not have a legal obligation to report it. They do, however, have a moral obligation to report it. In July of 2011, a little girl was found dead inside a lockbox, having suffocated from lack of air. The investigation into her death would reveal what Phoenix, Arizona, police would describe… Sep 7, 2020 • 5 min read
Morbidology the Podcast – 57: Emani Moss By Emily Thompson According to the Georgia Department of Family and Children Services statistics, in 2012, the agency reported 152 deaths of children that they had been in contact with. This was an alarming average of almost three children per week. Then the following year, DFCS came under scrutiny once again, when a young girl was found dead… Jul 20, 2020 • 6 min read
Missed Opportunities & The Death of Jeffrey Baldwin By Emily Thompson In 2002, Jeffrey Baldwin, 5, was found dead in his grandparent's home. He weighed the same as a 1-year-old. He had been systematically starved and abused by his grandparents who had gained custody of him after his own parents had abused him. May 20, 2020 • 7 min read
Missed Opportunities & Tia Rigg By Emily Thompson Tia Rigg was a 12-year-old girl from Manchester in the United Kingdom. She was lured to her uncle's home under the pretense of babysitting his daughter. Her uncle, however, had a obsession with child pornography & violent pornography and he chose his own niece to act out his sick fantasy. Mar 11, 2020 • 5 min read
The Tragic Death of Genny Rojas By Emily Thompson Genny Rojas, 3, spent only a short time on earth but during that short time, she endured more than most adults in their lifetime. She was passed around three homes and didn’t learn to properly communicate or use the potty. Sadly, she didn’t get the chance to reach those routine childhood milestones before she slipped… Jan 22, 2020 • 5 min read
The Last Straw – John Caudle By Emily Thompson When John Caudle was just 14-years-old, he shot and killed his mother, Joanna Galla Rinebarger, and his stepfather, Tracy Rinebarger. What would drive a teenager to kill those who should be closest to him? Abuse. John had suffered years of abuse and neglect. One day, he snapped. Jul 27, 2019 • 4 min read
The Short & Sad Life of Christian Choate By Emily Thompson Christian Choate was well known to child protection services yet the system designed to protect children failed him completely. He died alone in a dog cage at the hands of his abusive father and stepmother. Dec 30, 2018 • 6 min read
The Shameful Death of Elisa Izquierdo By Emily Thompson The tragic case of Elisa Izquierdo is an all-too-familiar tale of bureaucratic ineptitude. She was known by New York's Child Welfare Administration but their inaction led to her being murdered by her abusive mother. Oct 1, 2018 • 7 min read
