Staats told to take son, 2, to hospital

EPHRATA - The parents of a 2-year-old boy found malnourished reportedly refused to take the child to a hospital or another medical professional for months.

The boy allegedly weighed between 8 and 10 pounds when hospitalized in May, according to court documents.

Prosecutors charged this week Robert A. Staats, 36, and Michelle K. Staats, 32, both of Moses Lake, with first-degree criminal mistreatment, second-degree criminal mistreatment and possession of marijuana in Grant County Superior Court, according to court records.

The boy's health issues reportedly started in February 2011, more than a year before he was brought to Samaritan Healthcare, according to a Grant County sheriff's report. Michelle Staats allegedly acted as the child's primary medical provider, telling police she didn't trust hospitals, and used herbal and homeopathic treatments for all her children.

She reported to investigators the boy spat up food and only drank breast milk, according to the police report.

She allegedly fed the boy only breast milk until he was 1 year old, according to a medical report from Dr. Matthew Blessing. The boy should have ended drinking breast milk at 6 months.

Michelle Staats contacted the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program to develop a plan to get the child eating solid food, according to the police report. When the child failed to improve by July 2011, they advised her to contact a doctor.

She reportedly treated the boy with herbal or homeopathic remedies that seemed to work, and by August 2011, the child was eating vegetable broth, according to the police report. The boy's conditioned worsened by September 2011, when a WIC representative contacted her again, and allegedly learned she hadn't taken the child to a doctor.

Michelle Staats allegedly took the child to see a naturopathic doctor in November 2011, according to the police report. The doctor reportedly found an infection, and prescribed some antibiotics.

When the child refused to take the antibiotics and continued to have problems eating she allegedly advised the Staats to take the child to another medical professional or a hospital, according to the police report. The doctor reportedly told the Staats the boy's condition was critical.

Michelle Staats allegedly told police she prayed about whether she should take the child to a hospital, according to the police report. When she thought about taking the boy to the hospital, she got an upset stomach. She allegedly interpreted the upset stomach as a sign from God she should continue trying to treat the child herself.

Following the decision, she allegedly contacted a San Francisco herbalist, who recommended removing toxins from the boy's system, according to the police report. Afterward, the boy reportedly seemed to improve.

She reported being able to feed the child breast milk every two hours and giving him between one and 1.5 cups of broth and 0.75 to 1.5 cups of water a day, according to court records.

The child's condition reportedly worsened in April, when he became sick again, according to the police report. Michelle Staats allegedly found the child lethargic the morning of May 9. When he stopped breathing, she called 9-1-1. The dispatcher gave her instruction until paramedics arrived.

When the child arrived at Samaritan, he allegedly weighed between 8 and 10 pounds. Doctors reported needing to use a defibrillator twice before they could find a pulse.

Doctors reported the child was "emaciated, wasted, and obviously malnourished. The parents seem not to recognize this fact, according to court records.

When the child was stabilized, he was transferred to Sacred Heart Medical Center in Spokane, according to the police report.

Both parents allegedly told police they weren't trying to abuse or hurt the child, according to the police report.

"We've been trying to do it the natural way, without medical treatment," Robert Staats reportedly told police. "My wife's really been pushed on that belief."

Robert Staats reportedly told his wife they should bring the child to the hospital, he became better, according to the police report.

Robert Staats reportedly had health insurance from his employer and they own a $260,000 home.

Michelle Staats reportedly described a cycle where the child would seem to improve after she treated him, and would get sick again, and refuse to eat.

Blessing reported the child survived, but has irreversible brain damage because his heart stopped.

"(His) parents have made clear choices at every step throughout his life to avoid medical care, putting his health at risk," Blessing wrote.

The boy is now in a long-term care treatment center, according to court documents.

The couple was summoned to appear on Sept. 25 at 9 a.m. at Grant County Superior Court for their initial appearance.