Karen Murphy Gets Probation in Child Murder Case
Dr. Karen Murphy's trial began today, and she faced up to 40 years for the death of her son, Ryan. The Christian Post just learned that Murphy has received a sentence of probation with community service.
She will serve three years on probation and must complete 400 hours of community service. Murphy pled guilty to two misdemeanor counts of child neglect in a plea deal with prosecutors.
The story has captivated Virginians and led to much publicity of the Murphy family. Karen is charged with child neglect and the murder of her 2-year-old son Ryan, who was left inside a hot car for seven hours and died of heatstroke.
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Sadly, this was not the first time that Murphy left Ryan alone in the car. Just months earlier, she was surprised to learn that Ryan was not at daycare. When Murphy went to the car 20 minutes later, she found Ryan still strapped into his car seat. Thankfully he was okay that time.
Now Ryan is gone.
"This was a tragic accident," said Murphy's lawyer Edward MacMahon. "Not a crime. What she needs is to be supported and loved by the people who know and care for her and who know what a wonderful mother she is," he told the press.
Yet, that accident has brought awareness to what's being called Forgotten Baby Syndrome.
"It certainly wasn't intentional," said Virginia prosecutor Paul B. Ebert. "The fact is that she was on notice. This is an innocent child, and she wasn't up to speed on taking care of him. It gets to be the point where it becomes neglect."
Murphy's case is only one of hundreds of Forgotten Baby Syndrome incidents that occur every year. Daily Mail pointed out that there have been no fatal cases of Forgotten Baby Syndrome in the U.K., but that doesn't mean it doesn't happen.
Parents often describe being too harried and overextended, which can play a crucial factor in leaving a child behind.
"Some people think: 'I can see forgetting a child for two minutes, but not eight hours.' But what they don't understand is that in his or her mind the parent has dropped off the baby at nursery and thinks the baby is well taken care of," Janette Fennell, president of kidsandcars.org, told Daily Mail.
Karen Murphy had a lot of support behind her as the trial begins.
A Facebook page with the name "Supporters of Dr. Karen Murphy, DVM" is filled with messages of encouragement rather than anger. The page also has a link to kidsandcars.org, which seeks to educate parents and provide tips about preventing a child being left in a car.
One of the last posts from the page says, "Thank you, Karen, for all the ways you've touched our lives. Our hearts and prayers are with you today and every day. Please don't forget. We love and support you, and that will never change."
Murphy's case has drawn a large crowd of supporters to the courthouse, and it is clear that the public is behind her, rather than against her.
