The 73-year-old woman and the 38-year-old mother allegedly gave the 11-month-old baby girl a ‘high dose of magnesium’ in a bid to treat constipation. The mother brought her baby to the apartment of the 73-year-old woman because she was sick. The older woman then massaged the baby’s stomach and treated her with a liquid substance consisting of magnesium, olive oil and water, administered via oral syringe, to alleviate constipation. Within minutes, the baby went through a medical episode and died.
The 73-year-old woman, Elida Medina-Ramos, and the 38-year-old mother, Enma Medina, both from New Jersey, were arrested and taken into custody on Tuesday.
The 73-year-old woman is now charged with aggravated manslaughter, unauthorized practice of medicine and child endangerment, according to reports. The 38-year-old mother is now charged with child endangerment.
Right after 8 a.m. on Dec. 7 , 2021, the 38-year-old mother brought the 11-month-old baby girl, Genesis Catalan-Medina, to the apartment of Elida Medina-Ramos. She brought the girl because she was sick, according to reports.
The 73-year-old woman then massaged the baby’s stomach and treated her with a liquid substance consisting of magnesium, olive oil and water, administered via oral syringe, to alleviate constipation, according reports. Within minutes, the baby went through a medical episode.
Around 8:33 a.m. officers responded to a 911 call that reported a child having a medical episode. The responding officers said the baby was found unconscious and not breathing. The baby was taken to a hospital, where she was pronounced dead.
Prosecutors said that the toxicology report revealed that the baby had a high level of magnesium in her system – 22 mg/dL. According to the health officials, anything over 15 mg/dL can cause a coma and cardiac arrest.
The 73-year-old woman, a citizen of Guatemala, isn’t licensed to practice medicine in the United States. She reportedly said that she had been treating children for many years.
This incident remains under investigation. This is a developing story and it will be updated as new information become available.