Back in January 2020, Lauren Kay Dean – a mother of three at the time – was arrested after police officers organized a welfare check at her apartment. Dean, who was home when they arrived, welcomed them inside and proceeded to show them her children were okay.
There was just one problem – they weren’t all okay. After entering the home, police officers found her 7-year-old daughter, Jordynn, deceased. She was immediately arrested and charged with three separate counts of Abandon Endanger a Child – Imminent Danger Bodily Injury.
As the trial continued, she was eventually charged with capital murder of an individual under the age of 10. Dean, who was 26 at the time, pleaded guilty to avoiding the death penalty. Not only will she serve a life sentence, but she was also sentenced to another 20 years for the other counts.
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Jordynn, the 7-year-old daughter, was born with cerebral palsy and Down syndrome. She was bedridden, non-communicative, and on a feeding tube. Doctors said the little girl required around-the-clock care and supervision, which her mom, Lauren Kay Dean was responsible for.
On that fateful night in 2020, Dean had left Jordynn home alone with her two other children – a five-year-old and a three-month-old. The mother decided to go to Shade’s Nightclub without hiring someone to look after the children. Jordynn passed away due to being left alone.
Luckily, her two other children were left unharmed – though they’ll now live a life away from their mother. After Dean was arrested, the children were removed from the home.
It’s an appalling and horrific story that could’ve been avoided if her daughter had the proper care and supervision needed. On October 5th, Dean pleaded guilty and will now spend the rest of her life in prison for her irresponsible actions. The other 20 years will be served concurrently.
Lauren Kay Dean Failed Her Duties as a Mother
Down syndrome is the most common chromosomal disorder in the United States, affecting nearly 1 in every 700 babies – roughly 6,000 babies every year. Likewise, cerebral palsy is the most common motor disability among children, affecting around 10,000 babies every year.
Mothers who give birth to a child with down syndrome, cerebral palsy, or both are expected to provide the necessary care and support for their child to live as normal a life as possible. That means feeding them, bathing them, entertaining them, and loving them unconditionally.
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These children often have a hard time communicating and struggle with their motor skills. Without around-the-clock supervision, anything can happen as the child can’t care for themselves. What Lauren Kay Dean did two years ago went against her duty as a mother.
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