Brooke Skylar Richardson, now 19, is charged with aggravated murder, involuntary manslaughter, gross abuse of a corpse, tampering with evidence and child endangerment. She has pleaded not guilty and is free on bond.
On Monday, a Warren County court of appeals judge ruled that conversations with both of the doctors she consulted in early 2017 — Dr. William Andrew, who informed her of her pregnancy, and Dr. Casey Boyce, who she told about an alleged stillbirth — can be admitted as evidence in her upcoming trial. The judge said that doctor-patient privilege doesn’t apply in the case.
While doctors are generally required to keep interactions with their patients confidential, the judge ruled that Andrew and Boyce had adequate cause to suspect the abuse or mistreatment of a child. In cases where a crime is ongoing, physician-patient privilege is not absolute.
“We fail to see how applying the privilege to Richardson’s statements and reactions (during the appointment) furthers the purposes of the physician-patient privilege above the interest of the public in detecting crimes in order to protect society,” Judge Robert Ringland wrote in his ruling.
Charles Rittgers
Ohio prosecutors allege theformer cheerleadernever returned for an ultrasound, blood work or any other treatment after learning she was pregnant and ignored repetitive phone calls from the doctor and assistants, theCincinnati Enquirerreported.
At a hearing before the 12th District Court of Appeals on last month, prosecutors alleged that her reaction to hearing she was pregnant showedshe never wanted to become a mom.
“Her reaction to the confirmation that she was pregnant was extreme. It was over-the-top,” said assistant prosecutor Kirsten Brandt.
Warren County Sheriff’s Office
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PEOPLE’s call to Rittgers was not immediately returned.
source: people.com
