Andrew Burd was a small four year old infant who was living with fostering parents Hanna and Larry Overton. This child was placed in their home to be cared for and nurtured. Unfortunately he lived his short little life at the hands of two very abusive people. He died on October 3, 2007 at Driscoll Childrens Hospital in Corpus Christi, Texas of sodium poisoning. otherwise known as Hypernatremia. His foster parents were charged with capital murder.
Hannah Overtons' attorneys alleged that Andrew was not abused, but died of Diabetes Insipidus. This disease can cause a person to have nausea, vomiting, intense thirst, lethargy, excessive irritability, muscle twitching, coma and finally death. Which remarkably were some of the symptoms Andrew exhibited before his his death.
In the days before Andrews' death, his foster mother Hanna Overton, told a neighbor that Andrew was intentionally misbehaving. She stated that Andrew made himself throw up and poop. She alleged that he defecated at least eight times and smeared the feces everywhere. Most people know that extremely spicy foods can cause diarrhea. Hannah was quoted, "He's doing it to get to me." No human being on earth can force himself to defecate eight times.
There are many indications that prove that Andrew was suffering from Hypernatremia otherwise known as sodium poisoning. Hanna poured Zazarans spice into Andrews' sipi cup as a form of punishment. The spice brought on the diarrhea and vomiting. Hanna admitted that she often used chili or Zazaran Canjun spice as a form of punishment.
On the the day Andrew fell ill, Hannah was quoted as stating, she fixed two sippy cups with chili and water. Then forced little Andrew to drink it. The first cup was to teach him a lesson. The second cup a form of punishment. The he fell over, hit his head and threw up. She picked him up the stated, "Beat the s*** out of him," in an affidavit.
This illness was not brought on by Diabetes insipidus. According to the Merk McNeal fiffteenth edition, Diabetes insipidus can be caused by severe head injury after a patient has already been in a state of coma or death. It was also alleged that a previous car accident in which Andrew hit his head in the weeks prior brought on the disease. Andrew was not in a coma at the time of the accident nor was he near death.
This is a clear case of abuse. Andrew endured the worse kind of neglect and abuse imaginable by the people who were supposed to care for him. He was under constant video surveillance by his foster mother, Hannah Overton. She often sent him to bed without eating for two days in a row. She used the camera to assure that he did not get up to go to the restroom.
Then little Andrew defecated on himself and all over the bed. Afterwards the sheets were removed and burned. And the mattress was found under the swing set. Andrew was forced to sleep on a piece of plywood. Even the Overtons' own children, who are ages seven and five were not immune to the abuse. They were also punished in the same manner with pepper or soap which was placed their mouths if they were every untruthful or misbehaved.
Andrews little body was observed by the physicians at Driscoll Childrens Hosptial. it was discovered that he had a cigarette burn on his right arm and bruising to his arms and legs. He also had scratches along his stomach, neck and head trauma. There was also bleeding on Andrews brain. The facts indicate he was clearly an abused child.
Further, The Annals of Internal Medicine state that Hypernatremia is usually found in elderly patients who may have been inadvertently prescribed an overdose of fluids via IV in a hospital or nursing home. The American Journal of Forensic Medicine, states that infants who dies from Hypernatremia have an underlying condition or disease that predisposes them to an increased water loss. If no underlying cause such as a disease is indicated, then the only other cause is parental or caretaker neglect as the underlying cause of death.
The news reported that Attorneys speaking on behalf of the Overtons are trying to seek a new hearing. The attorneys submit that there were other witnesses that were not allowed to testify. And also want to submit more important information that could aid their client, Mrs. Hanna Overton. This case, in my opinion was tried fairly and justice prevailed.
On March 25th, 2010 an article posted in the Corpus Christi Caller Times indicated that the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals refused to hear an appeal from Mrs. Overton. It appears Mrs. Overton will continue to serve a life sentence. And her husband Larry Overton, plead guilty to a lesser charge of Criminally neglect homicide. He was sentenced to five years deferred adjudication probation and a $5000.00 fine.
Little Andrew Burd is the real victim. he will never see another birthday, go to high school, marry and have children or life at all. Someone decided his fate for him. Perhaps there is some form of mental illness in Mrs. Overton. There are psychologist and psychiatrist at the state penitentiary who can assess this. In any case, the state penitentiary is a good place for Hannah Overton. It's far enough away from her natural born children. Her own children will be safe with someone who will protect them. Hopefully they will be placed in the care of someone who is more compassionate; for away from their mothers twisted idea of punishment.
Written by
Donna C. Ledesma
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