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Death of disabled 14-year-old girl ruled homicide

Girl with cerebral palsy died March 1 of neglect, coroner says.

Mother sentenced for death of disabled 14-year-old daughter

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By Doug Page, Staff Writer Updated 11:00 PM Tuesday, October 4, 2011

DAYTON — A 14-year-old girl with cerebral palsy died March 1 of nutritional and medical neglect complicated by her chronic illness, the Montgomery County Coroner’s Office has ruled.

Now the death is being investigated as a homicide.

Makayla Norman weighed 28 pounds at the time of her death, according to Ken Betz, director of the Montgomery County Regional Crime Laboratory.

“We believe one or more individuals were involved, and we are working with the prosecutors on the appropriate charges,” said Dayton Sgt. Dan Mauch, head of the homicide unit.

“Hopefully, those charges will be in the near future,” Mauch said.

Medics and police were called around 10 p.m. March 1 to the 700 block of Taylor Street.

Mauch said the EMTs rushed the girl to Miami Valley Hospital before police reached the scene. The girl died minutes after reaching the hospital.

At first, given the girl’s chronic illness, detectives were unsure as how to proceed. The coroner ruled the death a homicide in early September. With the autopsy and laboratory tests completed, detectives focused their investigation on suspects.

“We have some witnesses who are cooperating,” Mauch said.

Ann Stevens of the Montgomery County Department of Jobs & Family Services said Children’s Services had a referral on the family in December of 2009, but was unable to substantiate any of the allegations. Children’s Service opened a case on the family after the girl’s death and has temporary custody of her 18-year-old sister, she said.

The mother has since moved from the Taylor Street address, and attempts to reach either parent were unsuccessful.

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