Opinion ID: 2600609
Heading Depth: 5
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Emergency Room Visits and Medical Examinations

Text: Around September 29, Hill took Kesha to the emergency room because Kesha was sleeping all day, had a fever, did not eat, and had diarrhea. Dr. Thomas Richards examined her and prescribed antibiotics. He noticed bruises on Kesha's spine, chest, and left thigh, suspected they were the result of child abuse, and asked Hill about them. Hill repeated defendant's explanation that most of the bruises were caused by falls while playing with other children, but said she did not know what caused the bruises on Kesha's spine. Dr. Richards told Hill to bring Kesha back the next day, and reported his suspicions to the San Luis Obispo County Child Protective Services Department, and to Kesha's regular pediatrician. Defendant arrived separately at the emergency room. He was angry because he had wanted Hill to wait and only bring Kesha to the hospital if she had not gotten better in another couple of days. He was worried that he was going to be accused of causing the bruises because he was an ex-convict, and that the authorities would take Kesha away from Hill. Hill and Kesha stayed at a friend's house that night. The next day, Hill took Kesha back to the emergency room, where Dr. Greg Frye examined her. He noted that Kesha was feeling better, but he observed bruises on Kesha's back and chest. He also noted that the hair on her scalp was slightly thinner than normal. Dr. Frye told Hill to followup with Kesha's regular pediatrician, Dr. Richard Peterson, whom they saw on October 4. By the time Kesha saw Dr. Peterson, she was almost back to her normal self, and there was no sign of infection. Dr. Peterson conducted a complete physical examination in response to Dr. Richard's report of possible abuse, but Dr. Peterson did not observe any bruises.