Updated: March 25, 2021
Originally Published: March 24, 2021
Content Warning: Child Loss
Losing a child is a parent’s most profound grief. Kathleen Folbigg, an Australian mother, endured the heartbreaking loss of all four of her children, one after another over a decade, with each passing away in infancy. In 2003, she was found guilty of murdering all four children, despite the fact that the first three deaths had been classified as sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Recently, however, 90 scientists have come together to ask the governor of New South Wales for a pardon, as new scientific evidence has surfaced that raises serious doubts about her conviction. Folbigg may have been wrongfully imprisoned for years.
A Timeline of Tragedy
Kathleen Folbigg married David Folbigg in 1987 when she was just 20 years old. Their first child, a boy named Caleb, was born in early 1989 and tragically passed away at just 19 days old, with SIDS listed as the cause of death on his certificate. Less than a year later, Kathleen became pregnant again. The couple took precautions, buying new bedding and preparing the nursery to prevent another SIDS incident. Patrick was born in June 1990. At just a week and a half old, he underwent a sleep study that showed no abnormalities.
However, when he was four months old, Patrick experienced an apparent life-threatening event (ALTE), resulting in brain damage, visual impairment, and seizures. He suffered additional seizures in the following months and died at eight months old. An autopsy attributed his death to an encephalopathic disorder leading to seizures and cardiac arrest.
The loss of Patrick plunged Kathleen into deep depression, and after selling their home, she tried to move forward, convinced she was “not a good person.” She became pregnant again and was meticulous about her diet and exercise during this pregnancy. Their daughter, Sarah, was born in October 1992, and she too underwent a sleep study that yielded normal results. However, Kathleen struggled to bond with Sarah due to her fear of losing her. Sarah passed away at just 10 months old, also ruled as SIDS.
The couple faced immense challenges following Sarah’s death. David fell into depression, and their marriage suffered. They moved again, yet Kathleen became pregnant once more and gave birth to Laura in August 1997. Laura underwent various tests, all of which were normal, and was monitored at home for her breathing and heart rate during sleep.
Despite the precautions, Laura died at 18 months old in March 1999. The cause of her death was listed as “undetermined,” although an autopsy revealed myocarditis, an inflammation of the heart tissue.
In April 2001, following police interviews and the submission of Kathleen’s diary by David, she was arrested and charged with four counts of murder. She was convicted in 2003 and has been incarcerated ever since.
Emerging DNA Evidence
While the circumstantial evidence against her was compelling, Kathleen Folbigg has always maintained her innocence. Recent scientific discoveries may bolster her claims. Researchers identified a rare genetic mutation in Kathleen and her two daughters, known as CALM2 and G114R, which could have contributed to their deaths by causing heart issues that make infants vulnerable to SIDS. Both girls’ deaths were linked to infections that may have worsened underlying conditions.
Caleb and Patrick also exhibited rare genetic mutations called BSN, or “bassoon genes.” While research on the implications of these mutations is ongoing, initial findings indicate that defective BSN genes in mice can lead to fatalities during seizures—similar to Patrick’s condition.
These revelations have prompted the collective of 90 scientists to petition for Folbigg’s pardon. “It is deeply concerning that medical and scientific evidence has been ignored in preference of circumstantial evidence,” stated Professor Fiona Stanley, a child health scientist. “We now have an alternative explanation for the death of the Folbigg children.”
The Impact of Diary Entries
Judges in the case pointed to several circumstantial coincidences that, when combined, could no longer be dismissed. Kathleen’s diary entries played a significant role in the court’s decision. Here are some excerpts:
- June 3, 1990: “I had mixed feelings this day whether or not I was going to cope as a mother…”
- June 18, 1996: “I’m ready this time and I’ll have help & support…”
- January 1, 1997: “I feel confident about it all going well this time…”
- January 28, 1998: “I feel like the worst mother on this earth, scared that she will leave me now…”
These entries were interpreted by some judges as incriminating, suggesting that Kathleen might have had darker thoughts about her children’s deaths. However, it’s essential to view these writings as the expressions of a mother grieving four losses, which could easily lead her to self-blame.
The state’s attorney general is currently reviewing the petition, and the new scientific evidence could potentially reopen her case for appeal.
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Summary
Kathleen Folbigg lost all four of her children under tragic circumstances and was convicted of their murders, despite initial SIDS diagnoses. Recent scientific findings reveal genetic mutations that could explain the children’s deaths, prompting calls for her pardon. The case raises questions about the balance of circumstantial evidence and emerging scientific insights.