According to documents from the Kentucky Cabinet for Families and Children, the mother charged in the death of her bed-ridden son with Duchenne muscular dystrophy had been investigated for neglect before.
Joseph “Joey” Bishop died on February 11. WLWT reports that the teens’ mother, Jamie Bishop, called 911 and said that her son wasn’t breathing. Children’s Hospital said that the teen had large ulcers on his arms, legs, and back and that some of his muscles and bones were exposed. They also said that he had sepsis from abuse or neglect. Investigators said that one of the bedsores was as large as a dinner plate. They told WLWT that the bedsores got infected and they died.
Investigators say that Jamie Bishop failed to provide care and medical treatment for the teen.
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Jamie Bishop, and Joey’s grandparents, Raymond and Sharon Martin, have been charged with felony manslaughter in connection with his death.
WLWT reports that Joey’s family told investigators that they had been too scared to call for help with the bed sores because they didn’t want to get in trouble for neglect.
“This is one of those cases where you just can’t help but shake your head and wonder why, how does this happen?” Kenton County Commonwealth’s Attorney Rob Sanders said.
The newly released documents from the Kentucky Cabinet for Families and Children show that in 2015, the state investigated Jamie Bishop for neglect after Joey hadn’t shown up for school since November 2011. WLWT reports that Jamie had told social workers that Joey had severe anxiety about returning to Holmes Middle School after he fell from his wheelchair and was hurt. They also say that documents state that the family took steps to homeschool Joey and take care of him, as well as his 14-year-old sister.
Documents from social workers say that Children’s Hospital told a social worker that Jamie followed through with recommendations and that the hospital had “no concerns.” WLWT reports that the case was closed three months after that.
“We’ll have plenty of time to look into any social services, or schools, or anything, whether they could have, or should have done anything else,” Sanders said. “Right now, our main focus is on the three people who were directly responsible for Joey’s death.”
