Jury sees Isaac's bruises, burns in photos as ER doctor testifies

Jury sees Isaac's bruises, burns in photos as ER doctor testifies

June 6, 2007

Ruby L. Bailey

Free Press

A Wayne County Circuit Court jury Wednesday saw pictures of a burned and bruised Isaac Lethbridge as an emergency room doctor testified about the fruitless attempts to revive him.

The 2-year-old died of his injuries in his foster mother's Detroit home on Aug. 16, 2006. Charlsie Adams-Rogers is charged with involuntary manslaughter in his death.

Isaac's father, Matthew Lethbridge, left the courtroom as pictures were displayed on the television screen. His mother, Jennifer Lethbridge, remained for several minutes, then left. The pair did not return by the morning break around 10:30.

Dr. Susan Kunjumman, a pediatrician at Children's Hospital of Michigan, testified that Isaac's second-degree burns would have caused the boy intense pain. Adams-Rogers had told the Free Press previously that she never heard him cry or observed any indications that he was being beaten.

The photos showed three groups of bright red burns on his chest and abdomen. he also had a deep purple bruise on his right ear and a broken right collarbone.

Kunjumman said the burns could have been caused by a steam iron.

The trial will continue with additional testimony this afternoon. One of Adams-Rogers' former foster children will be among those expected to testify.

Check back on www.freep.com for updates as news warrants.

Contact RUBY L. BAILEY at rbailey@freepress.com.