Prosecutors in Vermont have charged Melissa Robitille and her boyfriend, Walter Richters, III, with second-degree murder after the couple admitted to pouring vodka into the IV of Robitille’s 13-year old special needs son because “he was acting fussy.”
According to Robitille’s blog:
“‘Little Man’ is my son Isaac . . . he has holoprosencephaly – an anomaly in which the fetal horseshoe-shaped brain doesn’t fully divide into two hemispheres. The doctors said he wouldn’t live to be six months old. He’s got a bunch of other differences, but he’s a delightfully happy little boy, loves math, hugs, kisses, and his dog (her name is Tickle – he named her!), and hates physical therapy. He speaks mostly tactile ASL. He was medically fragile for a long time after he was born, so writing took a back burner for me, but I can’t say that I regret it since I adore him . . .”
This seemingly loving, caring mother called 911 to report that the teenager was unresponsive. However, Isaac’s death was soon ruled a homicide after a toxicology report concluded that his blood alcohol content was close to double the legal limit necessary for a DUI conviction.
The medical examiner also listed alcohol as a contributing cause of death.
Both Robitille and Richters have pleaded not guilty for their actions. If convicted, the couple could face 20 years to life in prison.
I can’t imagine how their lawyer is going to defend them against this, since they ADMITTED to pouring vodka into the poor child’s IV. Just because death wasn’t the intended consequence doesn’t mean it’s any less wrong, and it certainly won’t bring him back. Let these monsters have their day in court, and I pray that justice will be served.
