Cops arrest mom of 555 pound teen for neglect

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Alexander Deundray Draper, 14, of Travelers Rest, South Carolina, and his mother, Jerri Althea Gray, were located at about 4:30 p.m. near a laundromat in Baltimore, Maryland, by the Baltimore County Sheriff's Office, said Matt Armstrong, a spokesman for the Greenville County Sheriff's Office in Greenville, South Carolina.

"Draper was checked out by EMS [Emergency Medical Services] personnel and turned over to the Maryland Department of Social Services," Armstrong said.

The South Carolina Department of Social Services will work with its Maryland counterpart to have the boy returned to South Carolina, he told CNN affiliate WYFF.
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http://www.cnn.com/2009/CRIME/05/21/sc.missing.boy/index.html?iref=mpstoryview
 
Title is a bit misleading;
"The understanding was that the individual was of the weight where it was decided by medical authorities that he needed treatment that was not being provided for by his mother," Armstrong said.
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Obvious medical neglect when it was greatly recommended that the boy needed medical treatment for his obesity, which his mother failed to provide and then is MIA for a court appearance on the issue.


I'm glad the boy was turned over to social services.
 
nomofica said:
Title is a bit misleading;


Obvious medical neglect when it was greatly recommended that the boy needed medical treatment for his obesity, which his mother failed to provide and then is MIA for a court appearance on the issue.


I'm glad the boy was turned over to social services.
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I agree, this boy should have not gotten this big.


Mom what the hades were you thinking? Honestly? Stop giving him twinkies and give him a banana. Make him get some exercises. What could possibly be going through her mind to allow her own offspring to get this bad?
 
nibejeebies said:
okay but the issue this case is that the state is taking custody of the child to get him the medical attention that mom is reluctant to get him.
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Cool... Just didn't want to see an arguement again.
 
Yea I read that thread and am well aware of the reasons for morbidly obeese, but at the problem here is that the mother is refusing to get medical attention.

Its the same deal with the woman refusing Kemo for her daugher, or Praying insead of taking her child to the dr.

I wasnt starting to a fight or agrument about how people can get this big, but more of a how can some one Not seek medical attention for a loved one that has gotten this big.
 
They have not proven the need for medical attention!
 
As many people know Obesity is becoming an epidemic in the US. I have done many projects and essays in regards to this subject for my andvanced psychology's, also I have watched many of the Discovery Channel specials on the patients that are grossly obese, some adults and some children. The worst part is that very often it is more than just eating right and exercising for these people, it is a Mental Illness. They become abusive emotionally and even physically to their caretakers who "only want the best for them" and "dont want to see them unhappy" even though they know its killing them.
Food for these people is a way to oppress their mental illness and very often their severe depression. Food releases Dopamine: "One of the neurotransmitters playing a major role in addiction is dopamine. Many of the concepts that apply to dopamine apply to other neurotransmitters as well.
As a chemical messenger, dopamine is similar to adrenaline. Dopamine affects brain processes that control movement, emotional response, and ability to experience pleasure and pain. Regulation of dopamine plays a crucial role in our mental and physical health. " UTEXAS.

In the case of this child, he was obese, probably depressed because he had no friends and was picked on in school and in social situations. He more than likely yelled, screamed and punched or kicked his mother when she wouldnt give him what he wanted. Which makes her the "awful" enabler, but we all know how chldren are when they dont get what they want especially when they get old enough they tell their parents that they hate them, they dont love them cause they wont give them the food and etc.... But in actuallity, she is a victim of the situation as much as he is. It's tough to place the blame in situations like this.

But no I do not agree she should have relocated him, she should have done what was right and work with the system to get him well. But she too will need help for her mental issues. ;)
 
Whose to say the system is right, in what they want?
 
The system is working from a medical standpoint. They are looking at the facts, BMI's, his medical conditions and quality of life etc... for this child and are trying to make the best possible decision for him. Its hard to say what is best, but the child needs a chance for a good semi normal life. I believe that the mother and system could easily work something out, but the main focus has to be on the childs well being. He is a minor, these decisions are not his to make. Its not fair, but nothing in life is.
 
Solid points! Except this child is not any of those and was not having those problems. The authorities decided that he was and tried to force the help upon him and his mother.
 
How do we know what problems he was actually having? Has he had a pysch eval, has his medical records been released??? Its highly unlikely that he has no med probs at all... at 555lbs, its almost impossible to not have any...he could have a weakened heart from pumping so hard for so long, but we would only know that if they had released an echo report or holter monitor findings... its hard to say that he doesnt have anything.
I am sure more will comeout later on as this case advances. Until then, we can only speculate and hope for the best for this child. It is truly sad no matter which way you look at it.
 
WannaBeFlight said:
How do we know what problems he was actually having? Has he had a pysch eval, has his medical records been released??? Its highly unlikely that he has no med probs at all... at 555lbs, its almost impossible to not have any...he could have a weakened heart from pumping so hard for so long, but we would only know that if they had released an echo report or holter monitor findings... its hard to say that he doesnt have anything.
I am sure more will comeout later on as this case advances. Until then, we can only speculate and hope for the best for this child. It is truly sad no matter which way you look at it.
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I know this case personally. I can tell you that there is a lot the media is not reporting. The mother is not a bad person and has been getting help for the child. That is all I will say about it!
 
They are looking at the facts, BMI's
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A bit off topic but not completely. A BMI is a horrible way to judge obesity, it doesn't account for muscle mass or builds, just weight vs. height. a lot of people who have low percentages of body fat are considered obese because muscle weighs more than fat.
 
Sasha said:
A bit off topic but not completely. A BMI is a horrible way to judge obesity, it doesn't account for muscle mass or builds, just weight vs. height. a lot of people who have low percentages of body fat are considered obese because muscle weighs more than fat.
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In the medical field BMI is a main point for obesity, No one said is was accurate. Even the professionals know its not 100% accurate but they still use it.
 
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