r/UnsolvedMysteries • u/MermaidWish • 4d ago

UNEXPLAINED Trigger: Was it a murder?

https://www.casemine.com/judgement/us/5914fbd0add7b049349afd0b

In 2003, a toddler who had been healthy prior to living with his stepmother died at Loma Linda Hospital.

Did Patricia Brown murder Deetrick Brown?

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u/Outrageous-Dark-1719 4d ago

Could you provide more info on the case? I've never heard of it.

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u/MermaidWish 4d ago

Here’s local reporting:

https://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/indio-woman-accused-of-killing-toddler-released-from-custody/41784/?amp=1

Short version: apparently husband had an affair, had a baby boy with affair partner. Eventually, bio mom lost custody of the baby. The foster mom sought to adopt him (with his siblings from his bio mom), but he instead went to live with his biological dad and step mom.

He was documented as healthy - weight, height, development - prior to being with dad and stepmom.

He became malnourished, had many injuries that stepmom claimed were self inflicted but which medical professionals believed were signs of abuse, and developed seizures. A brain bleed was found, which medical experts are saying was due to abuse (shaking and head injuries).

Stepmom has been convicted, then the conviction thrown out, while bio dad was found Not Guilty. I believe they were starting to get ready for her new trial in the last couple of years. People who know her are staunch defenders. It’s peripherally local to me, so I look to see if any updates have been made.

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u/Outrageous-Dark-1719 4d ago

Sounds like a definite case of abuse. The dad should have allowed him to stay with the foster parent. I don't understand uprooting a child who is thriving. Very sad.

1

u/FoxsNetwork 4h ago

It's because the "father" didn't want to pay child support. He literally forced the kid on his wife, who he cheated on to produce this baby, even though she expressed she did not want it. Most would not allow that kind of extra work and emotional pain in their home. She's a monster but this guy is a loser and certainly no victim.

Should've stayed in with the adoptive mother and his siblings. All started with a deadbeat dad