Florida – A Florida woman was ordered to spend the next twelve months in prison after pIeading guiIty to feIony chiId negIect. The charges stemmed from her actions while caring for a criticaIIy iII baby who required constant medicaI attention.
The investigation process began in Sept. last year when the child’s mother contacted the Florida authorities, expressing concerns about the defendant’s, 62-year-old KeIIy Perigo, care. The mother reported that the elderly woman had claimed the child consumed all of his nighttime bottles. However, upon reviewing home surveillance footage, the mother observed the woman attempting to feed the child for only a few minutes before leaving the room with the fuII bottle. The footage also showed the caregiver discarding the contents in the kitchen sink. Further investigation revealed that the woman had not fed the child since mid-August, leading to significant health issues, including Iiver faiIure.
The defendant’s actions were particularly egregious given the infant’s medical condition. Born prematurely at twenty four weeks, the child required specialized care, including feeding through a gastrointestinal tube when oral feeding was insufficient. The surveillance footage confirmed that the woman failed to administer the necessary feedings, and there was no evidence of the child receiving nutrition through the prescribed GI tube.
During her interview with investigators, she admitted to discarding the unused formula, stating it was due to poor judgment. She further explained that she believed the child was eating more during the day, which justified her actions. Additionally, she claimed she had informed her employer that she lacked pediatric care experience, which was not disclosed during the hiring process. She also mentioned being previously terminated from another pediatric nursing position for smoking in the bathroom, though the company did not provide details regarding her dismissal.
The investigation revealed that the child had experienced weight loss, low energy, and liver failure since the woman began providing care in Feb. last year. The parents had instructed all nurses to utilize the tube if the child refused oral feedings, but there was no indication that Perrigo followed these instructions. The surveillance footage corroborated the parents’ concerns, leading to the involvement of the Department of Children and Families and the Police Department’s Special Victims Unit.
In court, the baby’s mother addressed the judge, detailing the child’s medical journey, including 12 surgeries and ongoing health challenges. The judge sentenced the caregiver to one year in jail and revoked her nursing licenses, emphasizing the gravity of her neglect. The child’s parents expressed relief that justice had been served, although they acknowledged the long-term impact on their child’s health.
Woman who beIieved the criticaIIy iII baby she was responsibIe for was eating more during the day after trying to feed him for only a few minutes before pouring out the rest, causing Iong-term heaIth issues for the chiId, is sentenced
