THE MAX SHATTO CASE : RUSSIAN BOY WHOSE DEATH WAS DEEMED ACCIDENTAL BY AUTHORITIES UNDER RENEWED SCRUTINY AFTER REPORT IS RELEASED THAT HIS BODY WAS COVERED IN BRUISES

 

photo: CBS7

The case of Max Shatto, which outraged the Russian people once more after several reports of abuse or neglect of other Russian adopted children in the past, now seems to be fit for re-consideration after authorities deemed the boy's death accidental.

Max Shatto, who was seven, died of an internal hemorrhage that was marked accidental in the coroner's report. 

However, Russian authorities had asked for an international inquest due to the fact that the adoptive mother had had prior incidents with child protective services for child neglect.

Now a report has been released that the boy's cadaver was riddled with bruises, more than 30 large bruises at that, and some cuts and marks throughout his body.  

He had been in the US less than 14 months before he died.  

The report comes from the same Medical Examiner's office that filed the autopsy report in the County where the death occurred.  

The Russian Consul in Houston, Texas, has requested a copy of the report, which could prompt the case to be reevaluated,due to the damning evidence.  

The adoptive parents, on their part, asserted that Max Shatto would try to constantly hurt himself, either by flinging himself down or hitting his head against the wall.  The family doctor, after hearing the parent's assertions, had prescribed the boy an antipsychotic medication.  The parents however withdrew the drug when they thought that it made swallowing difficult for him.  

The adoptive mother recounted the day the boy died by saying that she came in from the yard to find him on the ground unresponsive.  The boy, who died a few days later, was listed on the coroner's report has having died of rupture of the small intestine due to blunt trauma.  

The Russian consul accused the US authorities of neglect in the case when they absolved the parent from any responsibility in the death, citing the additional coroner's report and the observation that the bruises on the boy body were 'consistent' with self inflicted wounds.

There are no indications that the Texas authorities will reopen the case at this time.  

Source : CNN 3.28.13