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Highlands Today

No change in injured child's condition

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By BRAD DICKERSON

Highlands Today

Published: May 12, 2009

SEBRING - It has been one week since an attorney said the young child allegedly injured by Avon Park police officer James Parker would be taken off life support, and as of Monday, there was no change in the victim's condition.

"We have not heard of any change," said Lt. Tim Lethbridge, with the Highlands County Sheriff's Office, on Monday.

On May 4, attorney Richard Pipkin, speaking on behalf of the victim's mother, said she was planning to take her daughter off life support after Thursday.

If the victim did live, she would be living in a vegetative state, the attorney added. The mother, a registered nurse, was planning to abide by the doctor's recommendation to take the child off the ventilator.

Pipkin gave the statement during Parker's bond hearing, where defense counsel requested that the bond be lowered from $250,000 to $50,000. Judge Peter Estrada denied the motion.

Parker remained in jail on Monday. He was arrested March 29 and charged with aggravated child abuse for allegedly seriously injuring the then-20-month-old child of his former live-in girlfriend.

If the child dies, Parker could end up facing first-degree murder charges.

Highlands Today reporter Brad Dickerson can be reached at (863) 386-5838 or bdickerson@highlandstoday.com

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