Based on the interviews and autopsy findings, investigators reported they asked two family members to take a lie detector test but they refused. Although medical examiners found the child covered with scars and ruled the death a homicide, the prosecutor said he found no evidence of foul play and believed Dreahon's death was an accident. In Terrell Peterson's case, police seized evidence from the child's home without a search warrant. But a judge threw out key evidence obtained in the search, seriously undermining the state's case. Children's deaths present unique challenges to law enforcement and others.
Children die differently than adults, and their homicides are often trickier to detect.
When an adult is shot or stabbed to death, it is evident a crime was committed, and the question is, who did it. With a child, and particularly an infant, there may be no weapon, no outward signs of injury, and the challenge is to determine how the child died and whether it was natural, accidental or intentional. When an autopsy is delayed, as it sometimes is in rural areas when a forensic pathologist is not available, critical time is lost. Morgan recalls one child who was not autopsied until two days after his death. In 48 hours, you can do a lot of covering up of evidence.