After killing her daughter Courtney, 26, who had cerebral palsy, by placing capsules in her feeding tube, Bonnie Liltz then tried to commit suicide. She was charged with first-degree murder.
Sadly, her sentence was reduced from a possible 14-year prison term for manslaughter to four years. Had the original charge of first-degree murder stuck, a mandatory minimum sentence of 20 years would have applied.
According to the Chicago Tribune, “The legislature intentionally made reckless death a probationable offense.”
Robert Loeb, a Chicago criminal defense attorney and former prosecutor, said last week, “And we should see some probation given for deaths under some cases. This sounds like the case.”
The Chicago Tribune reported that Stephen Drake, of the disability-rights group Not Dead Yet, said this is yet another case where a child with a disability is viewed as a burden and parents who care for them viewed as saints.
Courtney was unable to perform most of her daily activities without assistance; her mother, and killer, had numerous health problems. Certainly, these pressures can take a toll on anyone. But, do they justify the murder of one’s child? Is a four-year prison stay enough for this horrid crime?
I have cerebral palsy. For the past few years, my ability to perform many of the tasks that I once was able to do has decreased. Like thousands of people with disabilities, I hire personal assistants to do whatever I cannot. I still work full time, pay taxes and participate in all society has to offer. That said, many people who are currently disability-free cannot fathom living in my “condition.”
Parenting a child, disabled or not, is no easy task. Community resources must be available to prevent the unnecessary deaths of more people like Courtney. What better way to honor this innocent victim?
Pam Heavens,
Executive Director Will-Grundy Center for Independent Living