"The child's diagnosis was made by more than one doctor, is legitimate, and is based on a substantial record," counter the defense attorneys for the mom, Sophia Hartman, 31
Renton mom accused of child assault over alleged unnecessary medical treatment
Sophie Hartman s lawyers say the charges are false and a miscarriage of justice. Her adopted child has had hundreds of medical appointments for a rare disorder. Author: Christine Pae (KING 5) Published: 7:12 AM PDT May 26, 2021 Updated: 7:12 AM PDT May 26, 2021
SEATTLE A Renton mom who adopted an orphan girl from Africa faces assault charges based on reports that the girl had been undergoing unnecessary medical procedures and visits.
Sophie Hartman told KING 5 in 2019 her child has alternating hemiplegia of childhood, or AHC, which is a rare neurological disorder.
A charging document from the King County Prosecuting Attorney s Office alleges Hartman of subjecting her 6-year-old child to medically unnecessary surgical interventions and restraints.
Renton mother charged in âmedical child abuseâ case against adopted 6-year-old daughter
By Olivia LaVoice and Q13 News Staff
Published article
RENTON, Wash. - Charges have been filed against a Renton mother under investigation for medical child abuse, a case in which prosecutors say is something they haven t seen in recent memory.
The investigation into 31-year-old Sophie Hartman began with a series of doctors who believed her now 6-year-old adopted daughter was being given unnecessary medical treatment at the urging of her mother.
Court documents say the child has had nearly 500 medical appointments since she was around 2 years old and has had what doctors called an unnecessary medical procedure, with a surgically implanted feeding tube, as well as a cecostomy tube, to help flush the intestines. The child also had leg braces and a wheelchair despite doctors telling her mother that they were unnecessary, according to court documents.