baby nutrition
What happened to the premature twins after they were released from the NICU?
After being released from the NICU, the premature twins allegedly failed to gain adequate weight while in their parents' care. According to the affidavit, the defendants (parents Courtney Soikas and Marcus Medella) neglected their parental responsibilities by failing to bring their children to at least four scheduled medical appointments. This medical neglect is particularly serious given the twins' premature birth and vulnerable condition, leading to allegations of child endangerment against the parents. The case highlights the critical importance of proper follow-up care for premature infants.
Watch clip answer (00:26m)
Law&Crime Network
01:36 - 02:03
What is the shocking allegation against the parents in the premature twins case?
The parents, Courtney Soikas and Marcus Medella, are accused of intentionally not feeding their premature twins enough after the babies were released from the NICU. The case involves allegations that the parents had an agreement to deliberately malnourish their twins, which crime reporter Angenette Levy describes as 'horrific and stunning.' Former Pennsylvania prosecutor Matt Mangino confirms the severity of these claims, stating it's a stunning allegation to suggest this was a planned crime to not nourish, feed, and properly care for these vulnerable premature infants. The case has prompted serious child endangerment charges in Bucks County against the parents.
Watch clip answer (00:38m)
Law&Crime Network
10:54 - 11:33
Why were the parents of the newborn twins charged with neglect?
The parents, Courtney Soikas and Marcus Medella, were charged with child endangerment after missing four medical appointments for their premature twins born in October. According to District Attorney Jen Shorn, it took deliberate effort to ignore repeated appointment scheduling attempts from pediatric physicians who proactively seek out parents of newborns to ensure proper care. When the mother finally brought the babies to a medical appointment in December, it was discovered they were malnourished due to the parents' failure to feed them properly. No explanation was provided for why both parents neglected to feed their children or missed critical medical appointments.
Watch clip answer (00:41m)
Law&Crime Network
05:41 - 06:22
What was the condition of the premature twins and how did their weight change over time?
The premature twins, JV1 and JV2, were born on October 7th at extremely low birth weights - JV1 at 4.16 pounds and JV2 at just 3.74 pounds. Their condition was concerning, as they were later found to be malnourished and required hospitalization at St. Christopher's Hospital, which prompted child welfare referrals. When their mother took them for a doctor's visit two months later on December 11th, baby number one had only gained to 5.78 pounds, showing minimal weight gain that was insufficient for proper development. This alarming lack of weight gain, combined with missed medical appointments, led to allegations of medical neglect against the parents, Courtney Soikas and Marcus Medella.
Watch clip answer (00:35m)Law&Crime Network
02:23 - 02:58
What sentence did Kristen Donay receive after pleading guilty to child neglect charges?
Kristen Donay was sentenced to three years in prison on two counts of neglect of a dependent resulting in serious injury, with the sentences to run concurrently. However, her entire sentence was suspended, meaning she will not serve any prison time for these offenses. Instead of incarceration, Donay will only face probation despite pleading guilty to charges that involved endangering her dependent's life or health and depriving the child of necessary support. The case involved her two-month-old baby who suffered from severe malnutrition.
Watch clip answer (00:37m)
Law&Crime Network
16:08 - 16:46
What saved the baby's life in this neglect case?
The baby's life was saved when he was rushed to emergency services in critical condition. As emphasized in the clip, the situation could have had much different consequences if medical intervention hadn't occurred when it did. The infant, who reportedly appeared like a 'Holocaust victim' due to severe starvation, survived only because of this timely emergency response. Despite the mother Kristen Donay later pleading guilty to neglect charges, the most crucial factor in this case was the emergency medical intervention that prevented a tragic outcome.
Watch clip answer (00:14m)
Law&Crime Network
21:28 - 21:42