Death Of Medically Fragile Baby Is Not The First For Benita Shostrom

[Dakota]

Uintah County prosecutors have filed a manslaughter charge against the mother of a medically-fragile infant who died in June.

Benita Jean Shostrom, 34, was charged in 8th District Court with manslaughter, a second-degree felony, in connection with the death of 7-month-old Cali Rae Douglas. Prosecutors say the girl's death was the result of reckless conduct on her mother's part.

Shostrom called 911 on June 26 and told dispatchers she'd found her daughter dead in her crib, according to Uintah County Undersheriff John Laursen.

The baby was born prematurely and had a number of medical issues, Shostrom told investigators. A doctor had prescribed supplemental oxygen for the baby. Detectives said they found oxygen tanks in Shostrom's home, but determined that oxygen was not being administered as prescribed at the time of Douglas' death.

The state medical examiner listed the cause of death as "undetermined," Laursen said.

Shostrom told detectives she was already in bed when her teenage nephew put her daughter in her crib for the night. She added that she had taken a prescription drug used to treat anxiety disorders and it made her sleep through the night, Laursen said.

Shostrom did not have a valid prescription for the anti-anxiety medication, according to investigators.

Douglas is the second of Shostrom's children to die in infancy.

Shostrom's daughter, Sarina Marie Woods, was 16 months old when she died in Clifton, Colo., in April 2006. Mesa County sheriff's reports obtained by KSL show that Shostrom found Woods dead in her crib.

An autopsy determined the baby — who had been born prematurely and also had ongoing medical issues — died from pneumonia. No criminal charges were filed.

On Wednesday, detectives and prosecutors in Uintah County told KSL they were not aware of Woods' death, but said they plan to contact authorities in Colorado for additional information.

http://www.ksl.com/?nid=960&sid=18836871

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=683927155

MySpace as "Bad Ass B": http://www.myspace.com/benitajean/stream

Cali Rae Douglas died in June 2011 / Sarina Marie Woods died in April 2006

 

[Valasca]

But she has prof. I'd like to see her prof.

 

[crimsonsorrow]

They need to check mom's medical record n' such to see if she was using drugs during pregnancy cuz that's what it sounds like to me.

 

[4Cats]

Benita Jean Shostrom, 34

good lord, she looks 44, not 34.

poor babies :-(

 

[Tundratot]

Not administering the prescribed oxygen? Taking unprescribed anti-anxiety meds? Leaving her medically fragile infant in the care of a teenage nephew? Okay, that last might not be so bad, but I don't get very good feelings about this woman's concept of motherhood. One dead infant already and she can pop unprescribed anxiety medicine and sleep like a baby while her second infant, in need of care, is dying?

 

[LoKi4778]

Not really enough info on this one yet to make a decision. Who hasn't popped a Vicoden or Percocet for fun once in a while? While drugs may or may not have been a contributing factor, the fact that both babies were born premature may just mean that she was cursed with a less than productive womb or that there might be some faulty genetics at play. I mean, to look late 40s while in fact you are in your mid 30s may be a sign of something deeper than drug use... IDK, we'll have to wait for more info I think...

 

[ladyanalis]

who really knows the truth

This is a very sad story all the way around.I think that there was negligance from the beginning.and that this person has no right being a parent at all.and i wish i could just go on here and tell the whole story that i know from the beginning.but i cant the person is going to be goin through enough as it is.but honestly get her tubes tied.the rest its not up to me thats between her.the judge and our God.and i am no one to judge.

 

[nopatience]

Not administering the prescribed oxygen? Taking unprescribed anti-anxiety meds? Leaving her medically fragile infant in the care of a teenage nephew? Okay, that last might not be so bad, but I don't get very good feelings about this woman's concept of motherhood. One dead infant already and she can pop unprescribed anxiety medicine and sleep like a baby while her second infant, in need of care, is dying?

I was thinking the same thing. I get worried about a baby with no problems. I would be beside myself checking on an infant who had so many. I think Cali looks malnourished as well. If she needed help, why wouldn't she let someone know it was that bad? I feel bad for the nephew, who sounds like he was the one trying to care for the baby.

 

[Heather4877]

I, too, hate when the authorities try to RUIEN families.

 

[Elfearsandvampireteeth]

Who hasn't popped a Vicoden or Percocet for fun once in a while? [ /QUOTE]


I'd hope someone who was looking after a "medically fragile" infant on oxygen wouldn't but hey maybe that's just me.....

 

[Rockin Ma]

This is a very sad story all the way around.I think that there was negligance from the beginning.and that this person has no right being a parent at all.and i wish i could just go on here and tell the whole story that i know from the beginning.but i cant the person is going to be goin through enough as it is.but honestly get her tubes tied.the rest its not up to me thats between her.the judge and our God.and i am no one to judge.

Don't worry about it. We'll judge for ya! :top:

 

[4Cats]

This is a very sad story all the way around.I think that there was negligance from the beginning.and that this person has no right being a parent at all.and i wish i could just go on here and tell the whole story that i know from the beginning.but i cant the person is going to be goin through enough as it is.but honestly get her tubes tied.the rest its not up to me thats between her.the judge and our God.and i am no one to judge.

yeah, 'cause only god can judge :wink5:

 

[Dakota]

A Uintah County woman has been sentenced to a year in jail for child abuse that prosecutors believe led to her infant daughter’s death.

Benita Shostrom, 35, was sentenced Tuesday in 8th District Court after pleading guilty last month to the class A misdemeanor.

Prosecutors originally charged Shostrom with second-degree felony manslaughter in the June 2011 death of 7-month-old Cali Rae Douglas. But Shostrom was given a plea deal because "it wasn’t clear in the medical examiner’s mind" whether the child died from complications due to being born premature, said Mike Drechsel, Uintah County’s chief deputy attorney over criminal prosecutions.
[...]

"We believe she substantially contributed to the death of the child," Drechsel said, "but there were medical issues with the child as well."
[...]

"There was a little child relying on her mom to take care of her," the prosecutor said. "It’s hard to feel pleased about any outcome short of bringing that child back to us. But I do feel like the process was fair and she’s accepted some level of responsibility. I really wish this little girl was still among us."

http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/news/54292731-78/child-shostrom-death-court.html.csp

 

[MommysLosingIt]

So if she's extra good in jail, she'll most likely get out in 6 months, which is less time than the baby lived. Yay justice!

 

[Sugar Cookie]

Cali Rae Douglas