Mobile Site

Markes Gets Legal Advice

Video
Map

Enlarge Video

Download Video

Video RSS

Embed:

WKRG.com Related Resources

More –› Related Articles

More –› santa rosa

Data –› Search Crime Statistics

Discuss this in the forum

By Pat Peterson Reporter

M30o93H7pQ09L8X1t49cHY01Z5j4TT91fGfr Markes Gets Legal Advice

Published: Fri, April 04, 2008 - 4:25 pm
Last Updated: Fri, April 04, 2008 - 5:12 pm

Pat Peterson

A prominent Michigan law firm has been contacted to look into Erin Markes' arrest. News 5 has learned an attorney at the Fieger Law Firm, which defended assisted suicide Doctor Jack Kevorkian, also known as "Doctor Death," is offering the 19-year old mother legal advice until she can hire a local attorney. Markes was arrested last week and charged with felony child neglect after doctors treated her malnourished four-year old who weighed only ten pounds.

But Markes and her supporters say the boy wasn't neglected, they say he suffers from Lissencephaly, a rare and often fatal brain condition that can cause dramatic weight loss.

"My first thought was outrage and sympathy for Erin," says Dianna Fitzgerald. Fitzgerald is the president of the Lissencephaly Network based in Indiana. "I just couldn't believe that a mother that has gone through so much is being jailed for something that's totally out of her control."

Fitzgerald is speaking on the family's behalf and put Markes in touch with the Fieger Law Firm.

"We're talking about a child who's only joy in life right now is his mother. He knows his mother, he knows his mother's not there and it breaks her heart that she can't be there with him in what possibly could be his final days," says Fitzgerald.

Sheriff's investigators say despite the child's brain condition, detectives stand by Markes' arrest and tell News 5 the case was thoroughly investigated before she was charged. Markes is out of jail on a 100-thousand dollar bond. Hospital officials would not comment on the child's condition.

News Map