Marybeth Davis (born c. 1952) is an American former nurse who was convicted of the murders of her two children in 1997, although she had maintained her innocence for several years. Davis was released from prison in 2007 after accepting a plea deal and confessing to the crimes.[1]
In September 1981 in Lewisburg, West Virginia, Davis's infant son, Seth, had suffered massive damage to his brain, which prosecutors believed was caused by an injection of a large amount of insulin. He was later moved to a mental institution where he spent the rest of his life. Several months after the incident with Seth, on 11 March 1982, Davis's three-year-old daughter, Tegan, died of a caffeine pill overdose. Dr. Anne Hooper, who performed the autopsy on the girl, found hundreds of capsules inside of the digestive tract, where she then concluded that the manner of death was likely a homicide.[2][3]
Trial
Tegan (left) and Seth Davis
In 1997, Davis was placed on trial for the murder of Tegan and the injury to Seth. It was reported that prosecutors believed that Davis suffered from Münchausen syndrome by proxy, which is a condition where an individual would falsify sickness of their children to gain attention and sympathy.[4] Although it was believed that Davis had caused the overdose of her son, she had previously stated that he suffered from Leigh syndrome or an unspecified growth hormone deficiency. Apart from this, Dr. Barry Wolfe believed that Tegan had suffered from the same genetic disorder. Tegan had been diagnosed with Reye's Syndrome shortly after her death in 1982, in Marybeth's defense, these details contradicted Dr. Hooper's report that Tegan was murdered. Although these details were present, Davis received a life sentence without the possibility of parole.[5] Seth Davis died on 10 October 2002 at the age of 21; his death was recorded as a homicide.[6]
After signing a plea deal and giving a one-word confession in 2007, the then 55-year-old Marybeth Davis was released from prison.[2]
In media
In 1999, A&E series Cold Case Files featured the case on their episode, "Maternal Instinct."[7]
In 2005, television series Guilty or Innocent? detailed the events on an episode titled "The Mary Beth Davis Case."[8]
References
^Acton, Robin (2007). "Mother free after admitting to poisoning children". TribLive. Retrieved 8 April 2012.[permanent dead link]
^ abPorterfeld, Mannix. "Lawyer insists new evidence would free Marybeth Davis". Retrieved 8 April 2012.
^Faltermayer, Charlotte. "Medea's Shadow". Legal Affairs.com. Retrieved 14 April 2012.
^Feldman, Marc. "Munchausen.com Home Page". Retrieved 14 April 2012.
^"Marybeth Davis Appeal". Mothers Against MSBP Allegations. Retrieved 18 April 2012.
^Giggenbach, Christian (October 5, 2007). "A stunning turn in old case". Register Herald. Retrieved 19 April 2012.
^"The Answer in the Box/Maternal Instinct". IMDb.com. Retrieved 29 May 2012.
^"The Marybeth Davis Case". IMDb.com. Retrieved 29 May 2012.
External links
Tegan Davis Autopsy Report (1982)
January 10, 2023
marybeth, davis, born, 1952, american, former, nurse, convicted, murders, children, 1997, although, maintained, innocence, several, years, davis, released, from, prison, 2007, after, accepting, plea, deal, confessing, crimes, bornc, 1952, nationalityamericanoc. Marybeth Davis born c 1952 is an American former nurse who was convicted of the murders of her two children in 1997 although she had maintained her innocence for several years Davis was released from prison in 2007 after accepting a plea deal and confessing to the crimes 1 Marybeth DavisBornc 1952 age 70 71 NationalityAmericanOccupationNurseCriminal statusReleased after plea deal 2007 SpouseGary Davis divorced ChildrenTegan Davis Seth DavisMotiveMunchausen syndrome by proxy presumably Criminal chargeHomicidePenaltyLife imprisonment without parole Contents 1 Case history 2 Trial 3 In media 4 References 5 External linksCase history EditIn September 1981 in Lewisburg West Virginia Davis s infant son Seth had suffered massive damage to his brain which prosecutors believed was caused by an injection of a large amount of insulin He was later moved to a mental institution where he spent the rest of his life Several months after the incident with Seth on 11 March 1982 Davis s three year old daughter Tegan died of a caffeine pill overdose Dr Anne Hooper who performed the autopsy on the girl found hundreds of capsules inside of the digestive tract where she then concluded that the manner of death was likely a homicide 2 3 Trial Edit Tegan left and Seth Davis In 1997 Davis was placed on trial for the murder of Tegan and the injury to Seth It was reported that prosecutors believed that Davis suffered from Munchausen syndrome by proxy which is a condition where an individual would falsify sickness of their children to gain attention and sympathy 4 Although it was believed that Davis had caused the overdose of her son she had previously stated that he suffered from Leigh syndrome or an unspecified growth hormone deficiency Apart from this Dr Barry Wolfe believed that Tegan had suffered from the same genetic disorder Tegan had been diagnosed with Reye s Syndrome shortly after her death in 1982 in Marybeth s defense these details contradicted Dr Hooper s report that Tegan was murdered Although these details were present Davis received a life sentence without the possibility of parole 5 Seth Davis died on 10 October 2002 at the age of 21 his death was recorded as a homicide 6 After signing a plea deal and giving a one word confession in 2007 the then 55 year old Marybeth Davis was released from prison 2 In media EditIn 1999 A amp E series Cold Case Files featured the case on their episode Maternal Instinct 7 In 2005 television series Guilty or Innocent detailed the events on an episode titled The Mary Beth Davis Case 8 References Edit Acton Robin 2007 Mother free after admitting to poisoning children TribLive Retrieved 8 April 2012 permanent dead link a b Porterfeld Mannix Lawyer insists new evidence would free Marybeth Davis Retrieved 8 April 2012 Faltermayer Charlotte Medea s Shadow Legal Affairs com Retrieved 14 April 2012 Feldman Marc Munchausen com Home Page Retrieved 14 April 2012 Marybeth Davis Appeal Mothers Against MSBP Allegations Retrieved 18 April 2012 Giggenbach Christian October 5 2007 A stunning turn in old case Register Herald Retrieved 19 April 2012 The Answer in the Box Maternal Instinct IMDb com Retrieved 29 May 2012 The Marybeth Davis Case IMDb com Retrieved 29 May 2012 External links EditTegan Davis Autopsy Report 1982 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Marybeth Davis amp oldid 1126549747, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
