Infant had signs of illness before death, expert says

St. Petersburg Times

Author: MARK JOURNEY

CLEARWATER - Four-month-old Corey Greer had sunken shadowy eyes and several other physical signs that should have alerted his foster mother that he was gravely ill before his death three years ago, several doctors testified Thursday.

''In my opinion, a caretaker would know that urgent medical treatment was necessary,'' Dr. J.M. Whitworth, a University of Florida professor and expert on child abuse, testified in Pinellas-Pasco Circuit Court. ''You could look at the baby and say, 'This is not a normal baby.'''

Judith Lundy, 50, is charged with third-degree murder and manslaughter in Corey's death. If convicted, the Treasure Island woman could be sentenced to a maximum of seven years in prison under state sentencing guidelines.

When Corey died on July 21, 1985, Mrs. Lundy was caring for 12 foster children in addition to her natural child. She was licensed by the state Department of Health and Rehabilitative Services (HRS) to care for only four children.

Prosecutors say Mrs. Lundy neglected Corey because he was black. They say the child died after he was left in a steamy room that reeked of urine and feces.

Five doctors testified in the second day of the trial that Corey died of dehydration and too much sodium in his blood.

Whitworth, the child-abuse expert, testified that excessive sodium in Corey's blood could have been caused by too much salt or lack of water. He said the child's physical condition could have been caused by improper feeding.

If dehydrated, Corey would have been lethargic, irritable and would not have eaten well during the last day or two of his life, Whitworth said. He said Corey eventually would have become semi-comatose or comatose. Corey's weight had dropped at least 15 percent at the time of his death, Whitworth said.

Defense attorneys argue that Corey had been sick since birth, possibly from respiratory stress that could have caused brain damage. They say he almost died after he was hospitalized by his natural mother on June 17 because he had too little - not too much - sodium in his blood. As a result, Corey suffered from seizures, defense attorneys say.

But Whitworth said there is no strong evidence to indicate that Corey's death was caused by previous health problems or disease.

Another witness testified Thursday that touching Corey gave Mrs. Lundy the ''willies.'' An 8-year-old girl was responsible for caring for the child, witnesses have said.