kaye
2018-03-14 05:06:25 UTC
----------------------------
Herbalist Charged in Death of Diabetic Boy Treated with Oils
Thu, 03/08/2018
by BRIAN MELLEY, Associated Press
An herbalist who touted natural cures that helped him overcome cancer has
been charged in the death of a 13-year-old diabetic boy who prosecutors
said he treated with herbal oils instead of insulin.
Timothy Morrow, 83, was charged with practicing medicine without a license
and child abuse causing a death, the Los Angeles city attorney said
Wednesday. His lawyer said he disputes the charges.
Morrow, who described on his website how the voice of God led him to start
using herbs for his prostate cancer, began treating the boy's Type 1
diabetes with herbs in 2014 after meeting his mother at seminars he
conducted, City Attorney Mike Feuer said.
When the boy became sick and semi-comatose in August 2014, Morrow told the
parents not to give the boy insulin, but to use herbal oils he was selling,
Feuer said.
The boy identified in court papers as Edgar L. died the next day. The
medical examiner determined the boy would have survived if he received
proper medical care.
"The allegations in this case underscore the serious health and safety
risks of taking medical advice from someone who lacks a license and the
proper training that goes with it," Feuer said in a statement. "No family
should have to suffer the tragedy of losing a child because of
irresponsible, un-credentialed medical advice."
A defense lawyer said Morrow had nothing to do with the boy's death and is
not guilty.
"He's never been in trouble in his life," attorney Sanford Perliss said.
"He really has a lifetime of helping people."
The Los Angeles district attorney declined to bring felony charges and
referred the case to the city attorney, a spokesman said. The charges were
filed in August just before a three-year deadline and Morrow's arraignment
was postponed until later this month.
It wasn't clear why the city attorney announced the charges Wednesday and a
spokesman couldn't answer other questions about the case.
Perliss pointed out that in the three years since the boy's death, there
has been no attempt to take away Morrow's business license, no agency has
tried to shut him down and the parents of the boy have not sued him.
"No one did anything to indicate he was doing anything wrong," Perliss
said.
Morrow faces up to two years in jail if convicted of the misdemeanors. He's
due in Los Angeles Superior Court for arraignment March 27.
Morrow's website, Common Sense Products, touts his story as a testament to
the value of herbal remedies as part of a healthy lifestyle. The site
includes products for adults, children and targeted at various health
needs, including blood sugar.
Morrow encourages people to take charge of their own health and says, "We
don't force anyone or try to lead anyone."
"Keep in mind: there are no side effects to herbs, no labels that read
'Keep Out of Reach of Children,'" according to the website's mission
statement. "These herbs, in fact, are gentle enough for children."
Herbalist Charged in Death of Diabetic Boy Treated with Oils
Thu, 03/08/2018
by BRIAN MELLEY, Associated Press
An herbalist who touted natural cures that helped him overcome cancer has
been charged in the death of a 13-year-old diabetic boy who prosecutors
said he treated with herbal oils instead of insulin.
Timothy Morrow, 83, was charged with practicing medicine without a license
and child abuse causing a death, the Los Angeles city attorney said
Wednesday. His lawyer said he disputes the charges.
Morrow, who described on his website how the voice of God led him to start
using herbs for his prostate cancer, began treating the boy's Type 1
diabetes with herbs in 2014 after meeting his mother at seminars he
conducted, City Attorney Mike Feuer said.
When the boy became sick and semi-comatose in August 2014, Morrow told the
parents not to give the boy insulin, but to use herbal oils he was selling,
Feuer said.
The boy identified in court papers as Edgar L. died the next day. The
medical examiner determined the boy would have survived if he received
proper medical care.
"The allegations in this case underscore the serious health and safety
risks of taking medical advice from someone who lacks a license and the
proper training that goes with it," Feuer said in a statement. "No family
should have to suffer the tragedy of losing a child because of
irresponsible, un-credentialed medical advice."
A defense lawyer said Morrow had nothing to do with the boy's death and is
not guilty.
"He's never been in trouble in his life," attorney Sanford Perliss said.
"He really has a lifetime of helping people."
The Los Angeles district attorney declined to bring felony charges and
referred the case to the city attorney, a spokesman said. The charges were
filed in August just before a three-year deadline and Morrow's arraignment
was postponed until later this month.
It wasn't clear why the city attorney announced the charges Wednesday and a
spokesman couldn't answer other questions about the case.
Perliss pointed out that in the three years since the boy's death, there
has been no attempt to take away Morrow's business license, no agency has
tried to shut him down and the parents of the boy have not sued him.
"No one did anything to indicate he was doing anything wrong," Perliss
said.
Morrow faces up to two years in jail if convicted of the misdemeanors. He's
due in Los Angeles Superior Court for arraignment March 27.
Morrow's website, Common Sense Products, touts his story as a testament to
the value of herbal remedies as part of a healthy lifestyle. The site
includes products for adults, children and targeted at various health
needs, including blood sugar.
Morrow encourages people to take charge of their own health and says, "We
don't force anyone or try to lead anyone."
"Keep in mind: there are no side effects to herbs, no labels that read
'Keep Out of Reach of Children,'" according to the website's mission
statement. "These herbs, in fact, are gentle enough for children."