Trial delay likely for couple accused of not giving son lifesaving medication
Defense lawyers for a Park City couple accused of neglecting to give their 11-year-old son lifesaving medication say they intend to postpone a trial scheduled this spring.
The May trial date for David Stroud, 41, and Jennifer Stroud, 36, "not realistic," attorneys Elliot Pinsel and LaTonya Burton said Thursday.
The Strouds have pleaded not guilty to two counts of endangering the life of a child filed after an investigation into the death of their son, Jason, in September.
Authorities say Jason received a heart transplant in May 2012 in Milwaukee and had been given medication to prevent his body from rejecting the new organ. According to a GoFundMe online fundraising page established in August by Jennifer Stroud, Jason had eight open heart surgeries and 20 surgical procedures before receiving the heart transplant.
In June 2015, the family switched hospitals and were expected to make regular visits to Lurie Children's Hospital in Chicago, according to authorities. However, after several hospital appointments were missed between December 2015 and August 2016, the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services was contacted to check Jason's well-being, authorities said.
Prosecutors say Jason's body began rejecting the donor heart because he was not receiving daily medication he needed. The sixth-grader at Woodland Middle School in Gurnee died at the Chicago children's hospital on Sept. 11.
Assistant Lake County State's Attorney Eric Kalata said the couple could be sentenced to prison for up to five years if found guilty. Probation also would be possible.
Jennifer Stroud is out of custody after posting the required 10 percent of her $75,000 bail. David Stroud remains in the Lake County jail on the same bail amount.
They're scheduled to return to court April 11.