The Tragic Death of Rebecca Riley
I read a news story the other day that was upsetting to me on so many levels – as a parent, a mental health advocate and simply as a human being. A four year old girl died from what appears to be an overdose of the prescription drugs she was being given for psychiatric disorders.
Rebecca Riley was taking Seroqel, an anti-psychotic; Depakote, which was presumably prescribed for bipolar disorder; and Clonidine, a blood pressure drug that is apparently used “off-label” to calm children. Off-label means that the drug is being used for a purpose other than the purpose approved by the FDA. Also, none of these drugs were approved by the FDA for use in children, for any purpose.
I have to say that my jaw dropped when I read this list of drugs, especially as Rebecca had been taking them since she was 2, when she was diagnosed with attention deficit disorder and bipolar disorder. Not only is prescribing a medication off-label risky, since it has not been tested for that purpose, but prescribing several off-label medications together is even riskier, since their interaction has not been tested.
March 6th, 2007 at 2:02 pm
I’m probably shouting this out in a knee-jerk sort of blurting response, but my kids are highly active. VERY much like myself as a child. I know there is a time and a place for medications, but it is much too prevalent today. I’m not freaky granola that believes that the right combination of herbs and meditation can solve all problems, but keeping sugar out of my children’s diets and making sure they get more than enough structured physical activity seems to have done the trick (for both myself and the kids). I read this and blame everyone. Society for the ‘Mc Donalds’ effect need for immediate gratification; the parents for not taking the hard path; the doctor for even considering the easy path; myself for not being there and throwing up the red flag. I’m sick to my stomach.
It takes a village to raise a child, it takes a village to let a child die.
March 6th, 2007 at 3:45 pm
I agree. The blame here is definitely spread out. I’m still trying to figure out what could justify giving a two year old those medications unless she was violent or a clear danger to herself or others.
March 27th, 2007 at 10:59 am
Rebecca Riley was, first and foremost, killed by her negligent parents. They wanted income from their children, they didn’t want to work themselves, and they drugged their kids to keep them quiet and out of their hair. When Rebecca roamed the house vomiting in her final days, they gave her more drugs. Mom lied repeatedly about lost pills and “water damage” - which is an excuse every addict knows - to gain more medication.
Have you seen the latest headlines in this case? It’s enough to make you scream…worse than any horror/torture film out there…
March 27th, 2007 at 11:10 am
That’s my take on it. Apparently Carolyn Riley got 200 more pills from the pharmacist in one year than she should have. That’s unbelievable.
I’ve heard from parents of bipolar kids who protest that caring for them is harder than anyone knows. I completely agree - but I don’t think that Rebecca was bipolar. No other adults besides the Rileys - including daycare staff - saw the behavior that the Rileys claimed she exhibited. Plus, the Rebecca’s doctor diagnosed both her older sib lings with the exact same disorders. Very unlikely that you would have all three kids with the exact same disorders. Much more likely that the doctor relied heavily on the parents’ description of the problems.
Very, very sad. This couple never should have had children.