MINNEAPOLIS - This is an update to a KARE 11 investigation into a child subjected to years of possibly unnecessary medical treatment and mind-numbing medications. The child's mother, Mary Welch, has been indicted by a Texas grand jury. Welch is now facing felony charges of attempting to cause serious bodily injury to a child, and child endangerment.
According to the arrest warrant, Welch also duped doctors at Gillette Children's Hospital in Saint Paul into performing unnecessary procedures including brain surgeries on her young son, Duke Welch. Duke, now 11, spent the past several years in and out of hospitals in Texas and Minnesota. He had numerous surgeries and was on 15 different medications including the anti-psychotic Risperdal.
Investigators in Tarrant Co. Texas, claim Mary Welch, who had custody of Duke was "doctor shopping", "providing false medical history" to obtain "unneeded medical procedures" and medications for treatment of made up ailments.
"The extent of the lying by the biological mother is really extraordinary" said Dr. Marc Feldman. Feldman is an expert in "Medical Child Abuse," or what's sometimes called "Munchausen by Proxy." It's where a parent attracts sympathy for themselves by fabricating illnesses for their child. He reviewed the case for KARE 11. "This really looks like a Munchausen by proxy case" said Feldman.
Arrest records show Mary Welch was "very convincing" as she lied to doctors and "presented herself as a neonatal nurse." When she brought Duke to Gillette hospital in MN for treatment, she falsely represented that other doctors had referred Duke for surgery. Dr. Paul Kubic at Gillette told investigators "what the suspect has done is criminal."
Mary Welch refused to be interviewed, but her attorney Michael Heiskell told KARE 11 "a prosecutor can indict a tuna fish sandwich if they want to." He said his client is just a loving mom trying to get the best possible medical care for her son and he anticipates "that she will be acquitted of all charges at the end of the day."
If convicted in Texas, Mary Welch faces up to 20 years in prison. She could also be charged in MN. The Ramsey County Attorney's office tells KARE11 the case is under review.
