Mother Jailed For Killing Severely-Disabled Son By Pouring VODKA Into His Feeding Tube 

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“This is not a malicious offense. This is not a reckless indifference to human safety offense. This was a tragic mistake,” Rob Sussman, said, as the state was asking for a minimum 10-year sentence.

Mother Jailed For Killing Severely-Disabled Son By Pouring VODKA Into His Feeding Tube 

A heavily disabled 13-year-old boy from Vermont is dead and his mother has been sentenced to up to 12 years in prison after supplying him with vodka.

Isaac was born with a brain abnormality resulting in him needing 24 hour care. The teenager was blind, had a cleft palate, no ears and had developmental delays that left him needing round the clock care.

Isaac required a feeding tube to live, feeding him with a diet of baby formula, water, vitamins and a pediatric nutritional drink.

However, in August 2014 the teen was having a bad night and so his mother Melissa Robitille and her partner Walter Richters decided to add vodka to his feeding tube to keep him quiet.

The following morning Robitille found her son unresponsive in bed.

During the court case, the Vermont Medical Examiner listed Isaac’s brain abnormality as the cause of death with alcohol being cited as a ‘contributing’ factor. Isaac’s blood alcohol level content was 0.146 which is twice the legal limit for driving.

Isaac’s uncle, David Robitille said “The swath of destruction that this woman has laid behind her is wide and deep,” following the verdict on Tuesday where Melissa Robitille was sentenced to 4 to 12 years in prison.

Justifiably family members were not satisfied with the judge’s decision calling for justice for Isaac, where members of Robitille’s own family asked the judge for a more severe sentence calling her a neglectful mother.

Isaac’s former foster mother, Lottie Allen described the boy with fond affection. “He was a very smart, strong young man that adapted to all of his imperfections. He knew and could tell everyone that touched him by a sign that they gave him,” said Lottie.

Melissa Robitille pleaded with Judge Thomas Zonay to show her mercy. “I crave the court’s mercy and compassion. And I hope the court will keep in mind that I’m already bearing the punishment which will never end.”  The judge said the court felt that Robitille showed remorse for her son’s death and thus sentencing her to a minimum of four years in state prison.

Robitille’s partner Walter Richters is currently serving a three-year sentence for manslaughter charges. Whilst Robitille was on trial for involuntary manslaughter, the prosecutors argued it was she who gave Isaac the fatal dose of vodka.

“This is not a malicious offense. This is not a reckless indifference to human safety offense. This was a tragic mistake,” Rob Sussman, Robitille’s defense lawyer said, as the state was asking for a minimum 10-year sentence.

According to a news report on WCAX.com, Sharon Robitille, an Aunt of Isaac’s said “It’s not fair. I don’t think it’s fair. I think 4 to 12 years is not enough for what she has done.”

Do you think the sentence is enough?