Chapter 23 - DR. NAOMI CLARKE
Naomi testified first.
Professional clothing.
No theatrical anger.
“What was Poppy’s condition?”
“Severe pneumonia with hypoxemia requiring supplemental oxygen and close monitoring.”
“Was oxygen medically necessary?”
“Yes.”
“Was she intubated?”
“No.”
“On life support?”
“Not in the mechanical-ventilation sense.”
Important.
“Could a parent remove the mask because of a billing dispute?”
“No.”
“What if the parent disagrees with treatment?”
“In an emergency, clinicians act to protect the child. Parents can ask questions, request consultation, or seek appropriate review. They cannot physically obstruct necessary treatment when delay risks harm.”
Then the video.
Cole pulling mask.
Poppy gasping.
Laurel moving.
Naomi approaching.
Cole stepping in front.
Enrico entering.
My shove aside.
Naomi restoring oxygen.
Then my slap later.
Defense showed all of it.
Good.
Naomi did not soften me.
“Was Cole attacking Poppy when Enrico struck him?”
“No.”
“Was oxygen restored?”
“Yes.”
“Was Enrico’s slap medically necessary?”
“No.”
There.
Separate wrongs.
Then Poppy’s outcome.
“Permanent injury from the brief oxygen interruption?”
“None identified.”
“Can you say the forty seconds changed the course of her pneumonia?”
“No.”
“Was it still dangerous?”
“Yes.”
May you like
The jury had both.
No exaggeration.
