BETHLEHEM, Pa. -- A Pennsylvania mother is behind bars because, police said, her son's lack of dental care was her fault.
According to a local dentist, the 5-year-old boy has just eight teeth left and will need to be on a special soft food diet. The dentist said the child's tooth decay was so severe, it was criminal, and police agreed.
Dr. Nicholas Prusack said the nerves are exposed in several places.
"This is the X-ray showing the rotted teeth of the 5 year-old victim, and 12 of them so infected they had to be pulled," Prusack said.
Investigators said the damage was the result of the boy having never seen a dentist.
Now, his mother, 43-year-old Erneida Resto of Bethlehem, Pa., is charged with endangering her son's welfare. LINK
I think this is an area where perhaps we can be more proactive. We are legally and ethically responsible for reporting abuse. Sad story. But you won't believe the result of this survey asking if poor dental care by a parent constitutes as abuse - take it (click here) and get ready to be pissed off.
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