A Michigan City mother charged after her 9-week-old son died of starvation caused by malnutrition

MICHIGAN CITY, Ind. (WNDU) – A Michigan City mother is charged with neglect of a dependent resulting in death after the death of her 9-week-old son earlier this year.

According to court documents, 21-year-old ShiAnne Gramlin’s son died in April, but charges were not filed until earlier this month when autopsy results showed the child died of starvation caused by malnutrition.

According to charging documents, the boy was found unconscious, blue and barely breathing on April 8 around 9:00 a.m. However, Gramlin and the child’s father reportedly did not arrive at the hospital until around 10:10 a.m.

The baby, who was reportedly born weighing 9 pounds, 5.9 ounces, reportedly weighed 6 pounds, 5 ounces at the hospital.

The child was flown from Franciscan Hospital to a hospital in Chicago, where he died a short time later.

The documents show that the boy was exclusively breastfed. Gramlin said she had an appointment with her pediatrician scheduled for April 9, the day after his death, to find out what formula she could give him because she didn’t think he was thriving on her milk, but she didn’t feel comfortable preparing the milk. passage without prior medical consent.

Gramlin reportedly told investigators that when it came to breastfeeding, she had a similar problem with her middle son. She was then told that it was due to a lack of milk. After the boy was switched to formula milk, he began to develop.

Gramlin reportedly told investigators that she had not previously tried to take her son to the doctor or the emergency room, even though she had noticed weight loss.

Court documents show that Gramlin stated that she did not do it on purpose and that she would never hurt her child. She told investigators she was not trying to neglect or abuse him and did not know she was harming him by feeding him.

The father told investigators he didn’t know how his son lost so much weight because Gramlin fed him “all the time.” She claims he repeatedly asked her if he should buy formula at Walmart on the way home from work because her breasts hurt from frequent feedings, but she said no each time.

According to MyCase, a jury trial in Gramlin’s case is scheduled for March 3, 2025. She is scheduled to appear in court for another hearing on December 12.