The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-03-20
Prosecution Urged
 For Baby's Parents
Coroner Claims l4-Montl=OId WatertOwn Girl Victim
 of Extreme MalnutrtiOn and Rat Bite

Watertown, Conn, March 2O- (UP)-Coroner Lester w. Schaefer today recommended prosecution of the parents of IA months old Shir- ley White who died at a Waterbury hospital February 19 from extreme malnutrition, anemia and rat bite. "
 The prosecution was urged under section of the general statutes which provides punishment for fail ure to provide necessary food, clothing or shelter to any child under 16 years of age. oli permit it's health to become endangered.
 The coroner found that Shirley had been bitten severely by a rat on February IS ana a doctor was not called until the next day, when it was found the, child was beyond medical aid.
 Shirley was born December 9, 1888, and, according to the coroner, weighed less at the time of death than when she was born.
 During this period of time," his finding said, Shirley received no medical attention whatever. In fact, no medical attention for Shirley was ever requested by her father or her mother"
 The parents are Robert and Lucy White, who have six other children Concerning the others, the coroner declared "the most constructive act which can be accomplished by the proper authorities is to see that the necessary action is taken to the end that the remaining children of this family will in the future receive reasonable and proper care and supervision on the basis of modern standards of living"
 Efforts of welfare agencies over a period of years ot improve family conditions, said the coroner, loft times were unfavorably received by the parents of Shirley"
 Weighed 8 Pounds at Death
 Shirley, the coroner found. weighed eight pounds at the time of her death, and eight pounds, 10 ounces when she was born. Despite the fact that during the IA months of her life she did not gain weight normally, no medical attention was ever requested for her, the coroner found.
 Trial Justice Guerin B. Carmody of Watertown said Tuesday night he had not received the coroner's report and could not say what ac- tion would be taken.
 The coroner's finding indicates he obtained reports from the medical examiner, pr. Edward H. Kirsch- baum of Waterbury. from the State Child Welfare Bureau, the Connec- ticut Humane society, Watertown officials, and state police concern ing the White family.
 Robert White and Lucy White, parents of Shirley. were married November, 1888, and had nine chil- dren, the coroner reports. One of the children died January 18, 1884 and another September 27. 1885 The family has been living in a basement tenement on Pythian avenue, Watertown, according to the finding. Shirley, the report shows. was born at Waterbury hos pital December 3, 1888, and at birth weighed eight pounds, 10 ounces.
 No Medical Attention
 The finding reads further: Since the date of Shirley's discharge from the hospital to the date of her death she lived with her parents and her brothers and sisters at the above mentioned address. During this period of time of approximately l4 months Shirley received no med ical attention whatsoever. In fact no medical attention for Shirley was ever requested by either her father or her mother. This was true in spite of the fact that the child over q considerable period of time did not gain weight as might be nor. mally expected. In fact, when she died at the Waterbury hospital on February 10. 1914, she weighed but eight pounds" .H
 Bitten by Rat
 Continuing the finding reads: Mrs. White stated that it was about 2 or 2 c. m. on February ie. iolO. that Shirley was bitten on the nose and hands by c rat. Upon hearing the cries Of the child. Mrs. White took Shirley Into her bed and later Ia the morning applied q nnive Co the wounds. In the fore. noon of FebrnuAry %. ief0, Mfh. White made aii effort Co call . doc- lor and have him como @ lhe house