(Atlantic) Testimony continued today (Thursday) in Cass County District Court in the case of the State of Iowa versus Alison Dorsey.
Dorsey has been charged with 1st Degree Murder and Child Endangerment for allegedly causing the death of an infant in her care in early October 2019. Dorsey pleaded not guilty.
Assistant Attorney General Monty Platz is the Prosecuting Attorney, and DeShawne Lee Bird-Sell represents the defendant, Alison Dorsey.
The state presented six witnesses today. Dr. Autumn Kaiser, Family Practice Physician at Cass Health was on call for the clinic on October 7, 2019 and was called in to assist with an incoming “code” at the ER. CPR was in progress and upon arrival two-month old Luka Hodges was not able to breathe and had no heartbeat. Kaiser said they were able to get a heartbeat, but he was still not able to breath on his own so he was intubated. Scans were done on Luka prior to his transfer to Children’s hospital in Omaha.
The court heard from Dr. Josh Kent, a Pediatrician out of Clive, who provided pediatric care to the Hodges children. Dr. Kent testified that although the twins were born early at 35 weeks, they were doing great at all of their checkups, they had no developmental delays and they were meeting all milestones.
The court then heard from Dr. Suzanne Haney, Child Abuse Pediatrician at Children’s Hospital. Dr. Haney was part of the team who tried to save Luka. She explained that Luka suffered subdermal hemorrhaging on the brain.
Dr. Haney said Luka also had tearing of the retina. However, Dr. Haney did not notice any external bruising on Luka’s body and there was no fracture to his skull.
Assistant Attorney General Monty Platz asked Dr. Haney if she considered whether any of the lifesaving efforts had any contribution to any of the injuries she observed on Luka’s brain.
Dr. Haney said Luka’s diagnosis was abusive head trauma that was inflicted.
Alison Dorsey’s Attorney DeShawne Bird-Sell talked to Dr. Haney about hypoxia (a lack of oxygen) and how it can cause the brain to die.
The Court then heard from Dr. Sandra Allbery, Pediatric Radiologist at Children’s Hospital who went into further detail about what the scans showed as far as bleeding on Luka’s brain.
Dr. Kelly Kadlec, Pediatric Critical Care Physician at Children’s Hospital, spoke about Luka’s critical condition when he arrived at the hospital and the work that was done by the team of doctors and nurses to try to bring Luka back.
The final witness from the State on Thursday was a Special Agent with the Iowa DCI who interviewed Alison Dorsey the morning of October 8th.
The State will present some more witnesses Friday beginning at 8:00 a.m.
