How Could You? Hall of Shame-Michael Citron case-Child Death UPDATED

This will be an archive of heinous actions by those involved in child welfare, foster care and adoption. We forewarn you that these are deeply disturbing stories that may involve sex abuse, murder, kidnapping and other horrendous actions.

From Park City, Connecticut, foster child Michael Citron,1, “was pronounced dead on arrival at St. Vincent’s Hospital after 1 a.m., said Av Harris, a spokesman for the city of Bridgeport.

A caregiver for the biological mother, John Turek, identified the child as Michael Citron. Harris said it appears the child died of sudden infant death syndrome.

“We’re looking into it. We’re awaiting the autopsy results,” Harris said.

“It’s a tragedy.”

Gary Kleeblatt, a spokesman for the Department of Children and Families, echoed that sentiment, and said DCF was working with medical and police officials on the case and that officials do not suspect foul play.

Turek said the DCF removed the baby from the mother, Lauren Citron, at birth. The child was born Nov. 8, 2015. He said that the mother, who lives in Greenwich, has physical disabilities, and that she had been petitioning to get the child back for most of the last year.“

Bridgeport Police Investigate Death Of 1-Year-Old [Hartford Courant 12/3/16 by Josh Kovner]

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Update: “The death of a 13-month-old boy in foster care in Bridgeport last December was the result of “acute intoxication” from an antihistamine medication he was given, authorities confirmed Wednesday morning.

The ruling in Michael Citron’s death has prompted the state Child Advocate’s Office to reaffirm its warnings against giving antihistamines to infants and toddlers.

“There is no therapeutic dose of an antihistamine for a very young child. Just because it is available over-the-counter, doesn’t mean it’s safe,” said Assistant Child Advocate Faith Vos Winkel.

Michael is at least the fourth infant or toddler to die in Connecticut from complications of an antihistamine over the last two years, according to the child advocate’s office.

Michael, taken by child-protection officials from his disabled natural mother and placed with the foster family, died of “acute chlorpheniramine intoxication; administered medication by others,” according to the chief state medical examiner, Dr. James Gill.

The manner of death is undetermined, meaning Gill did not make a finding of homicide, accidental, or natural death.

Bridgeport police were awaiting the medical examiner’s ruling.

“This is an active, ongoing investigation by detectives in the Youth Bureau,” said city spokeswoman Rowena White. “Investigations, and discussions with the medical examiner, are continuing.”

Joette Katz, commissioner of the Department of Children and Families, said the agency is also investigating.

“There is no definitive answer yet as to the manner of death, or sufficient clarity as to whether the death was the result of a tragic accident or whether it is unexplained,” Katz said.

Her agency and police “continue to work together to get all the facts of this case,” she said, adding: “Our hearts go out to the biological and foster families for the loss they have suffered.”

The baby was born Nov. 8, 2015, and died Dec. 3, 2016. Authorities waited months for the completion of toxicology tests.

The child was removed from the biological mother, Lauren Citron, 25, shortly after his birth and placed in foster care with non-relatives by DCF. The mother has physical disabilities.

Michael was found unresponsive in the Bridgeport home and pronounced dead at a hospital.

A caregiver for the biological mother said Lauren Citron, who lives in Greenwich, had been petitioning to get the child back for most of the year.

On May 4, the child advocate’s office put out a public-health alert about Benadryl and other antihistamines, warning caregivers to never use the drug as a sleep aid for young children.

Antihistamine “can have really adverse and complicated side effects for young children, and they should only be used with the advice of a pediatrician,” said Vos Winkel.”

Baby In Foster Care Died From Antihistamine Intoxication

[Hartford Courant 5/31/17 by Josh Kovner]