DORCHESTER, S.C. (WCIV)-- Dorchester County coroner, Chris Nisbet has released a statement regarding his findings in the case of the death of Joshua Mendoza.
The statement reads:
"Dorchester County Coroner has determined the death of thirteen year-old Joshua J. Mendoza was the result of severe neglect which led to malnutrition, and ultimately the death of the child. Although the child was diagnosed just after birth with tuberous sclerosis (TSC); with proper medical attention and medical care a person can live a long happy life with this condition. "Unfortunately, this was not the case with Joshua," explains Coroner Nisbet.
Neglect may include the failure to provide sufficient supervision, nourishment, or medical care, or the failure to fulfill other needs for which the victim is helpless to provide for himself or herself. Malnutrition is the condition that occurs when your body does not get enough nutrients. In some cases, malnutrition is very mild and causes no symptoms. "In this case; however, it was so severe that it led to a child's death," Nisbet details, "at thirteen, the child weighed less than 48 pounds when he died."
After a thorough investigation by the Coroner's office, it was learned that the child's last known medical visit was in 2006 after which a DSS investigation was initiated for the parent's failure to follow up on his treatment. The forensic pathologist responsible for the autopsy determined the extent of the abuse to be ongoing and extensive. "This child was neglected for years and it's devastating to know that this is going on in our community," Nisbet concludes."
Love's mother, Kathleen Nicholson says that's far from the truth.
"They were great parents. They were always doing everything for Joshua. He just died," Nicholson said.
Nicholson says her grandson had tuberous sclerosis, a genetic disorder. She says it would cause seizures in Mendoza, who she says could barely walk or speak.
13-year-old Joshua Mendoza died in his home on February 10th. He weighed 48 pounds at the time of his death.
Kimberly Love, 31, and her husband Jason Buckley, 29, turned themselves in to the Summerville Police Department Sunday night.
Buckley and Love (provided)
Joshua Mendoza (provided)
