Police: Woman Charged With Neglect After Child Found With 10 Decaying Teeth
GREENSBURG (KDKA) – A Greensburg mother is facing charges for not getting her daughter dental care despite suffering pain from several decayed teeth.
According to the criminal complaint, the 9-year-old girl has Down syndrome and initially complained that her teeth hurt late in 2014.
"It's far past the point of neglect," said Greensburg Police Capt. Robert Stafford. "The juvenile was coming to school complaining of her teeth. The school was able to look in her mouth. It was black and decayed."
Her mother, 46-year-old Chris Ann McChesney, was notified by the school at that time. Dental records from a visit on Jan. 5, 2015, show the child had five decayed teeth.
However, the child received no treatment for over a year.
On Feb. 9, 2016, the child once again saw the dentist and her condition had worsened. At the time of that visit, the child had significant decay in 10 teeth.
McChesney told police she tried to get the child's teeth removed twice. However, she said the anesthesiologist felt the surgery needed to be done at a hospital on both occasions.
"The dentist office wanted to re-evaluate the situation and have her go to Children's Hospital," Capt. Stafford said.
According to the criminal complaint, McChesney told police that she felt the teeth were not bothering the child and did not feel compelled to rush treatment. McChesney had no explanation for the decayed teeth and said all of her children had experienced decay with their baby teeth. She went on to say that her other children have not had any issues with their adult teeth.
"She says the child wasn't complaining about her teeth," Capt. Stafford said.
In addition to the teeth, the child started complaining of stomach pain in March. According to the criminal complaint, there was no record of the child seeing a doctor about the stomach pain.
When questioned, McChesney said the child did not complain about stomach pain at home. She was aware of the complaints being made at school, but felt it stemmed from the child "not wanting to be at school or upset by something at school."
Court records show McChesney has a long and varied police record. She has been charged with neglect of a care-dependent person, and the child remains in her care.
"Having a toothache is one thing, having a cavity, but whenever teeth are falling out of your mouth and they are black at the gum line that really indicates that you're not doing your job, you're not taking care of the child," Capt. Stafford said.
A preliminary hearing has been scheduled for McChesney for Aug. 4.
Join The Conversation On The KDKA Facebook Page
Stay Up To Date, Follow KDKA On Twitter
