The badly abused infant known as Baby Dinah will be removed from life support Monday, after her incarcerated parents are allowed a last visit with their daughter. The little girl is expected to die shortly thereafter.
Walton County Juvenile Court Judge David Dickinson issued the order to remove “all life support measures, and to allow Dinah Paige Whited to die.”
The judge also granted permission for the child’s mother and father, both charged in connection with her injuries, to each have a last visit with the baby. Dinah has been on life support for three months at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta at Egleston. The judge allowed the final visit, he explained, because both parents had agreed to terminate life support, and both have not been convicted at this time.
The parents will also be allowed to remain, pursuant to the hospital rules and security concerns, until the child dies, which the order says is expected shortly thereafter.
Justin Whited has been charged with assaulting the girl so badly she suffered bleeding on the brain, two broken collar bones and breaks in every rib but three. Jamie Cason Whited has been charged with child cruelty, asserting she failed to protect her child.
Both parents say they did not abuse the child.
The procedure to remove the child from life support follows a dramatic hearing Wednesday in which Justin Whited was the lone objector to allowing the removal procedure. That represented a huge legal hurdle.
The charges against Justin Whited could escalate to murder following the baby’s death.
During the hearing, the father wept during the showing of a video of the child motionless in her tiny hospital bed, and he changed his mind after a short meeting with his wife.
The judges order noted that Dinah was admitted to Egleston on April 23, and she exhibited “catastrophic brain injuries and multiple broken bones.” Medical testimony during the hearing indicated she has no chance of recovery.
“In short, the injuries are the result of physical abuse being committed against the child,” said the judge’s order, obtained by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
Judge Dickinson had tentatively scheduled the child’s removal from life support for Friday, pending the resolution of security measures to transport the parents from jail.
Justin and Jamie Cason Whited are expected to arrive at the hospital at 10 a.m. Monday, according to the order. They will each be afforded a half-hour visit before the procedure begins. Jamie Cason Whited made it clear during the hearing that she wanted them to have separate visits with Dinah.
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