Police arrested a Scranton woman after she failed to properly care for her 17-year-old son suffering from cerebral palsy, who weighed less than 60 pounds, according to a criminal complaint.
Zakia Patterson, 50, of 856 North Sumner Ave., faces felony charges of aggravated assault, endangering a child and unlawful restraint.
According to the complaint, on Jan. 26, police responded to a Childline report, originating from a nurse at Geisinger Medical Center, Danville, regarding a disabled child. The juvenile had been transported to the hospital via ambulance on Jan. 13, weighing only 51 pounds and diagnosed with severe malnutrition, failure to thrive and multiple advanced bedsores, including a 6 cm wound where the bone was visible.
Detectives responding to Geisigner noted he was so thin and frail they could see every one of his ribs.
His knees were contracted up to his chest in a fetal position, and he was unable to straighten them. His arms were also contracted across his chest.
Patterson told investigators she first noticed skin injuries several weeks earlier.
She said that because her son has cerebral palsy and is not mobile, she went to Geisinger Community Medical Center in Scranton without him in December, reported that he had bedsore and was given cream, saline and gauze to treat the wounds.
Geisinger Community Medical Center, however, had no record of the interaction. Staff there noted it was against their policy to treat a medical condition without evaluating the patient.
Patterson told investigators the child utilizes a feeding tube and she feeds him four times a day: 10 a.m. 1 p.m., 6 p.m. and 10 p.m.
She originally told officers she was the only one who fed him. But, when officers reviewed her work scheduled they noted her hours were from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., which meant she would miss a feeding.
Patterson then said Mark Bryant, her boyfriend, administers her son’s 1 p.m. feeding, although Bryant would later deny doing the feedings.
She originally told officers her son stayed in bed all day. But, when police pointed out his bed was on the second floor, she changed her story and said she carries him downstairs for cyber school.
Police noted Patterson didn’t have any in-home services in place and when asked if her son got physical therapy she said she “rolled” his wrists and ankles occasionally.
Officers noted the child was previously able to eat by mouth and walk with a walker. They could not determine when his condition deteriorated.
Dr. Marita Lind, consulted to assess the case for abuse or neglect, noted severe malnutrition, multiple pressure sores, severe neglect, developmental delays and contractures.
Lind noted, “The severe malnutrition and the presence of numerous pressure ulcerations are indications of serious child physical neglect and serous medical neglect that is chronic in nature and has caused significant harm to the child’s body, caused pain, and has placed the child at risk of significant morbidity or death.”
Had the child been provided with the proper nutrition and moved regularly, he would not have suffered skin injuries, she said.
Records show protective services in several states took custody of the juvenile multiple times, after determining Patterson had neglected him. When placed in a setting away from his mother, the boy improved.
In 2023, after being placed in the Rutledge Skilled Nursing facility, Brooklyn, New York, the boy thrived and staff there noted that, although non-verbal, he was happy and well liked.
During the stay at the hospital, Patterson did not visit in spite of being offered free Uber rides and other options for visiting.
In November of 2024, Patterson, who was moving back to Scranton, was awarded back custody of her son on a trial basis.
Lackawanna County officials were unaware of the placement and history of neglect.
Records show Patterson missed multiple medical appointments and dental appointments for her son in the last year, including a fitting for a wheelchair.
Medical personnel informed Patterson her son was eligible for a skilled nursing care services at his residence, but Patterson never followed through.
Patterson is free on $50,000 unsecured bail. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for 11:15 a.m. on March 18 before District Judge Alyce Farrell.