Adoption / Foster Care: Trial in the Death of 7-Year-Old Russian Adoptee Continues

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Trial in the Death of 7-Year-Old Russian Adoptee Continues Sep 14th 2011, 00:56 Michael and Nanette Craver of Pennsylvania are finally on trial for the death of their Russian born adopted son, 7-year-old Nathaniel. The Cravers maintain that the child was self-injurious, while the prosecution, according to reports, is painting a very different story of extreme abuse and neglect. Nathaniel died Augusta 25, 2009, five days after arriving to the hospital in a coma. His adoptive parents allege that the child threw himself down onto a wood stove, hitting his head. They further state that they placed an ice pack on the area, but that the child seemed fine and he went to bed forty-five minutes after hitting his head. The next morning, they could not wake the child. Dr. Wayne Ross, a forensic pathologist, noted during the trial this week that Nathaniel died of a traumatic brain injury and severe failure to thrive. Ross also found evidence of head trauma at least two weeks old, repeated impacts to the head, pulled arms and legs, and blunt force trauma to the chest. There was also evidence that Nathaniel may have been bound and staved. The child also had a skull fracture, a healing broken rib, compression spine injuries, and liver and heart damage. His chest and back were also covered in small bruises and abrasions. The Cravers, are being painted as very strict parents throughout the trial, and testimony from extended family suggest that they may have tried to hide Nathaniel from different family events months before he died.� The couple maintain that the child was fearless, didn't seem to feel pain, had fetal alcohol syndrome, and was clumsy. The Cravers stated that they sought medical and mental health help for their son. Dr. Ross testified that the child could not have caused these injuries to himself and ruled out FAS during the autopsy. The couple face criminal homicide and endangerment charges. Russian born Nathaniel was adopted from an orphanage by the Cravers along with his twin sister in 2003.� His sister has been staying with family. SOURCES: Forensic pathologist: Nathaniel Craver's injuries could not be self-inflicted Trial opens for central Pa. couple charged in death of adopted Russian boy, 7 Adopted Boy Didn't Die From Self-Inflicted Injuries, Expert Says Defense opens in Russian adoption death trial

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