Yurko - Hearing reveals baby suffered from 3 infections

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Hearing reveals baby suffered from 3 infections

By Colarossi and Amy C. Rippel

Sentinel Staff Writers

August 24, 2004

The first day of a hearing that could overturn Alan Yurko's lifesentence

brought a surprise for his wife, Francine: The couple's sickly10-week-old child

had three infections in his blood.

Alan Yurko was convicted in 1999 of shaking Alan Ream-Yurko to death.But

Francine and Alan Yurko, along with hundreds of supporters, say thefrail child

fell ill after routine vaccines, and then died after hiscare was mismanaged in

the hospital.

Orange Circuit Judge C. Alan Lawson is holding a hearing this week

todetermine whether there is enough new evidence to order a new trial.During the

testimony, Francine Yurko said, she learned of the threeinfections in the baby's

blood.

" It just goes along with the fact that there was something wrong withAlan, "

she said after the hearing Monday in Orlando. " He wasn't ahappy, healthy child.

He had issues. "

Yurko's supporters appeared in court wearing " Free Yurko " badges andribbons.

Dr. Jerry Bush, who practices internal medicine in Georgia andis an expert

witness for Yurko, said the child already had a low immunesystem because he was

premature and sickly and that made him morelikely to be affected by the

infections in his blood.

" His immune system was overwhelmed, " Bush said after the hearing. " Ahealthy

baby would have some reserve left to fight off these things,but Baby Alan had

no reserve. "

Bush testified during the hearing that doctors treating Alan were tooquick to

diagnose the baby's injuries as a result of shaken-babysyndrome.

" I believe there was negligence in the treatment of Baby Alan by themedical

doctors, " said Bush, who has reviewed the medical records ofthe child and his

mother.

Bush said he thinks the lack of prenatal vitamins, the baby's prematurebirth,

the vaccinations and other complications led to the baby havingweakened bones

and blood vessels.

Prosecutors are arguing that the baby had rib fractures, hemorrhagingand

other injuries indicative of shaken-baby syndrome and notvaccine-related.

Earlier on Monday, Dr. Sag, the baby's pediatrician, said thebaby

appeared healthy the four times he saw the child in the fall of1997.

But when he was asked whether he could have missed four broken ribs during

one of the visits, Sag said, " I think it's possible. "

On Nov. 11, 1997, the 10-week-old boy was given six childhood vaccinations

simultaneously.

Within 24 hours, the baby became fussy with a fever and diarrhea, which

continued for 10 days, said Francine Yurko.

After she left for work on Nov. 24, 1997, the baby stopped breathing, Alan

Yurko said.

He said he rushed the baby to the hospital, where the child later died.

When asked about her husband's current state, Francine Yurko said, " Hehas a

remarkable spirit. He's a very gentle man. He's a very lovingman. "

Colarossi can be reached at acolarossi@...

407-420-6218. Amy C. Rippel can be reached atarippel@... or

407-420-5736.