International Disability Rights News Service
Click here for today's
headlines
Keeping advocates informed, inspired and connected since
1999.
Need content
for your organization's newsletter or website?
Click here for daily or
weekly delivery . . . OR
Try
Inclusion Daily Express for two weeks FREE . . .
The Death of Mark A. Norris, Jr: Was fire a cover-up for his death?
2005
January 7:
Mark Norris' Father Sues
State Over Son's Neglect Death
2004
November 8:
Caseworker Pleads Guilty
Of Falsifying Records In Norris Case
May 25:
Trial Date Set For CPS
Caseworker In Norris Neglect Case
March 3:
Jennifer Norris Sentenced To Nine
Years For Son's Neglect Death
January 7:
Jennifer Norris Pleads Guilty In
Son's Death
2003
December 23:
Judge
Asked to Dismiss Case Against Anderson Social Worker Associated
Press
May 3: Jennifer Norris Jailed As Flight
Risk
February 14: Mother arrested on neglect charge
February 14: No charges filed yet against
CPS
February 7: Fire Was Set To Cover-up Boy's
Neglect Death, Prosecutor Says
Fire Was Set To Cover-up Boy's Neglect Death,
Prosecutor Says
By Dave Reynolds, Inclusion Daily Express
February 7,
2003
ELWOOD, INDIANA--On January 21, firefighters responding to a house
fire in Elwood found the burned body of 8-year-old Mark Adrian Norris II.
Officials believed at first that the boy, who had cerebral palsy and epilepsy and used a wheelchair, died in the blaze that consumed his family's single-story home.
But autopsy results tell a different story: The county coroner confirmed Friday that Mark died of pneumonia at least one day before the fire.
During a press conference Madison County Coroner Marian Dunnichay said there was no smoke in Mark's breathing passages, indicating that he was not breathing at the time of the fire. The autopsy also showed signs of malnourishment, extensive muscle deterioration and several bedsores. Additionally, toxicology tests found no traces of the medication Mark should have received to control his seizures.
Prosecutor Rodney Cummings said Jennifer Norris, Mark's mother, is suspected of letting her son die and then setting the fire to conceal the real cause of his death.
"The child died, and at some point -- probably a day or two before the fire was set -- the mother discovered her child had died, and the fire occurred as a mechanism to cover up the death -- that's what I suspect probably happened," Cummings explained.
Mark's mother, his 1-year-old sister and 5-year-old brother all escaped from the fire unharmed.
Cummings said he is considering filing neglect and reckless homicide charges against Jennifer Norris.
Mother arrested on neglect charge
February 14, 2003
ELWOOD, INDIANA--Authorities arrested a mother
Thursday morning who is accused of starving her 8-year-old son and eventually
letting him die of pneumonia.
Jennifer L. Norris, 26, walked quietly from the two-story home, looking dejected and not saying a word as police led her handcuffed to an unmarked squad car.
Mark Adrian Norris II died Jan. 20 in his bed. The next day, fire
investigators speculate, the 1618 South D St. home was set on fire to cover up
the boy's death. Jennifer Norris is not currently being charged with arson.
http://www.theheraldbulletin.com/cgi-bin/LiveIQue.acgi$rec=39007?hb_story
No charges filed yet against CPS
February 14, 2003
ELWOOD, INDIANA--The Madison County prosecutor
continues to consider the filing of criminal charges against two employees with
Child Protective Service in the death of Mark A. Norris.
If charges are filed against the caseworkers, it will be the first time
in the country that such workers have faced criminal charges.
http://www.theheraldbulletin.com/cgi-bin/LiveIQue.acgi$rec=39008?hb_story
Click here for top of this page
Jennifer Norris Jailed As Flight Risk
By
Dave Reynolds, Inclusion Daily Express
May 5, 2003
ELWOOD,
INDIANA-Jennifer Norris is back in jail on neglect charges after a judge
determined last week that she was a flight risk.
Norris, 26, is accused of neglect of a dependent person, her son Mark A. Norris Jr., who had cerebral palsy and a seizure disorder and used a wheelchair. Police believe Mrs. Norris may have set the family home ablaze to cover up her son's death, then escaped with her other two children.
The 8-year-old's body was found by firefighters in the burned rubble January 21. Autopsy results later showed that the boy had died at least one day before the blaze. He also had signs of malnourishment, extensive muscle deterioration and several bedsores. There was no trace in Mark's blood of the medication he needed to control his seizures.
Norris was arrested and jailed on February 13. Six days later posted a $50,000 bond through Bankers Insurance and was released.
Last Thursday, Bankers Insurance claimed they had information leading them to believe Norris planned to leave the state to avoid prosecution. The judge then revoked Norris' bond and she was picked up Friday.
Related article:
"Norris back in jail after flight risk feared"
(The Herald Bulletin)
http://www.theheraldbulletin.com/cgi-bin/LiveIQue.acgi$rec=43684?hb_story
Click here for top of this page
Have the latest disability rights news delivered to your email Inbox
every week day.
Subscribe to Inclusion
Daily Express today!
Inclusion Daily Express
3231 W. Boone Ave., # 711
Spokane, Washington 99201 USA
509-326-5811
News@InclusionDaily.com
Copyright © 2006 Inonit Publishing