This American mother has made it appear that her adopted daughter suffered from a rare neurological disease. In total, she took her child to more than 500 medical appointments, subjecting him to “unnecessary” medical procedures.
The 31-year-old mother, originally from Washington, is being investigated for “medical child abuse” after pretending that her adopted daughter suffered from a rare neurological disease. In total, the six-year-old has undergone 500 medical appointments, unnecessary medical procedures including a surgically implanted feeding tube, knee pads and a wheelchair, reports Q13 FOX.
Sophie Hartman has been putting her daughter through her procedures since she was two, court documents show. Doctors at Seattle Hospital requested a consultation after this mother’s requests with “increasingly invasive procedures based on undocumented signs and symptoms reported by the parent.”
“I am a compulsive liar”
The child was adopted in Zambia in Africa as a baby, she was removed from the care of her birth mother. “The search warrants revealed the girl had been diagnosed with a neurological disorder, but medical providers said this was based on information about her symptoms provided to them by Hartman.”, Underlines the Daily Mail.
Indeed, the only person who said that her little girl was having seizures was the mother. Investigators also found the adoptive mother’s diary where she confides in several of her lies. “When it comes to suffering, I am a compulsive liar.”
This woman seems to suffer from Munchausen Syndrome by proxy (PMSC), which consists of inventing a disease to gain the attention or sympathy of others.
A fake fundraiser
This mother went even further since she created a page and various jackpots to collect money. She even got a wish from the Make-A-Wish Foundation. In a video from the association, Sophie Hartman says her daughter can become paralyzed at any time. “Doctors, even the best pediatric specialists, don’t know what to do and have no treatment options… She needs access to oxygen because her breathing is shallow and slowed down; she depends on her feeding tube when she is unable to eat. ”
On the side of the accused, the lawyers claim that the mother is innocent. “Contrary to the allegations of the King County District Attorney, the child’s diagnosis was made by more than one doctor, is legitimate, and is based on a substantial record beyond the reports and information provided by Ms. Hartman”, emphasizes the defense.