BOULDER, Colo.—A mother on trial in the death of her 10-week-old son knew he was being abused but failed to get help for him, prosecutors alleged in opening arguments Wednesday.
Defense attorney Phil Miller countered that Molly Midyette loved her son and relied on her doctor’s advice when caring for him.
“You’ll determine if she had misplaced that trust,” Miller told the jurors. “Molly loved this baby and no one will say otherwise.” He also said she would testify in her own defense.
Midyette, of Louisville, is charged with child abuse resulting in the death of Jason Midyette on March 3, 2006, a little more than a week after his parents took him to the hospital.
Midyette’s husband, Alex Midyette, is set to go on trial in January on accusations that he injured his son.
Prosecutors say doctors found Jason had at least 20 fractures, including a complex skull fracture.
Boulder County Deputy Coroner John Meyer testified that he consulted three outside experts in determining that Jason did not have “brittle bone disease.” During cross-examination, he said none of Jason’s injuries was apparent to the naked eye.
Testimony was scheduled to continue Thursday.
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Information from: Camera,
