It's things like this that make me wonder what this world and its inhabitants are coming to.
PROVO, Utah A couple has been charged in the death of their 4-year-old adopted daughter through water-intoxication, an unconventional technique their lawyer said was recommended by family therapists to promote bonding.
Richard Killpack, 34, and Jennete Killpack, 26, were charged Monday with homicide and child abuse. They were not arrested and were awaiting a court summons, defense attorney Philip Danielson said Tuesday.
Prosecutors said Cassandra Killpack was forced to drink so much water it lowered the concentration of sodium in her blood, causing fatal brain swelling.
Danielson said the parents were dealing with a girl who was physically and sexually abused before being adopted and wasn't bonding with her new parents. He said the Cascade Center for Family Growth in Orem promoted forced water drinking for children with "attachment disorder" and that it was supposed to teach children to go to their parents for relief and comfort.
"These parents had no intention of hurting their child. In fact, all this was done in an attempt to help the child through an extreme emotional problem," Danielson said.
Center director Larry Van Bloem denied that his therapists promoted forced water drinking. "No, we never recommend it," he told The Daily Herald of Provo. Danielson accused the center of disavowing the practice to avoid criminal liability.
The Killpacks called 911 on June 9 when their daughter was having difficulty breathing. She died early the next day.
Danielson said the Killpacks gave their daughter three glasses of water but that prosecutors were alleging it was more.
"The question boils down to whether this was reckless behavior," Danielson said.
PROVO, Utah A couple has been charged in the death of their 4-year-old adopted daughter through water-intoxication, an unconventional technique their lawyer said was recommended by family therapists to promote bonding.
Richard Killpack, 34, and Jennete Killpack, 26, were charged Monday with homicide and child abuse. They were not arrested and were awaiting a court summons, defense attorney Philip Danielson said Tuesday.
Prosecutors said Cassandra Killpack was forced to drink so much water it lowered the concentration of sodium in her blood, causing fatal brain swelling.
Danielson said the parents were dealing with a girl who was physically and sexually abused before being adopted and wasn't bonding with her new parents. He said the Cascade Center for Family Growth in Orem promoted forced water drinking for children with "attachment disorder" and that it was supposed to teach children to go to their parents for relief and comfort.
"These parents had no intention of hurting their child. In fact, all this was done in an attempt to help the child through an extreme emotional problem," Danielson said.
Center director Larry Van Bloem denied that his therapists promoted forced water drinking. "No, we never recommend it," he told The Daily Herald of Provo. Danielson accused the center of disavowing the practice to avoid criminal liability.
The Killpacks called 911 on June 9 when their daughter was having difficulty breathing. She died early the next day.
Danielson said the Killpacks gave their daughter three glasses of water but that prosecutors were alleging it was more.
"The question boils down to whether this was reckless behavior," Danielson said.
Drink water = bond? I'm totally confused as to why anyone would think this would work??
