The Unraveling of a Family: When Child Protection Goes Wrong
Sarah Goble and Brian Boxx recently celebrated their son Finnik’s first birthday, a milestone overshadowed by a harrowing year spent battling accusations of child abuse. The allegations stemmed from “suspected,” “probable,” and healing fractures discovered in the infant’s bones, which were, at the time, no wider than two toothpicks.
Adding to the complexity, some of the supposed fractures were later determined not to be fractures at all. Crucially, none of these findings were symptomatic, meaning there was no indication that Finnik ever experienced any pain. According to his pediatric records, Finnik was a healthy and thriving baby both before and after a routine check-up, conducted just days before his parents sought medical attention at Children’s Mercy Hospital on what they now consider a fateful day in October 2024.
The Vomiting Incident and a Cascade of Suspicion
The initial reason for the hospital visit was vomiting. A pediatric radiologist, Julie Mack, after reviewing Finn’s case, stated in her expert opinion that the fractures were discovered incidentally during the examination to determine the cause of the vomiting and called the abuse finding incorrect. Mack further noted that none of the findings “appear to have produced noticeable symptoms” and were “consistent with a single minor force event, such as a fall in the arms of a sibling.”
Further testing at Children’s Mercy revealed a small lesion in the back of Finnik’s throat, likely caused by a virus, which explained his inability to nurse the night before, according to a second expert opinion sought by Finnik’s family. While Finnik did present with a slight fever, doctors at Children’s Mercy interpreted the throat abrasion as evidence of intentional harm, suggesting a deliberate laceration.
A Narrative of Abuse Takes Shape
According to Goble and Boxx, the Kansas Department for Children and Families (DCF) caseworker and Mission police built a case suggesting that Finnik’s father had intentionally inflicted the bone fractures through “smooshing, squeezing, or pulling” and had deliberately injured his son’s throat with his fingernail sometime between 8 p.m. and midnight the evening before the hospital visit.
However, hospital records contradicted this timeline. An ENT specialist at Children’s Mercy determined that the throat abrasion had been healing for several days to a week. Furthermore, Finnik was eating again the day after the examination, once cleared to do so.
Despite the inconsistencies, Goble recounted that police and the DCF investigator, during a joint interrogation, pressured her to admit to the abuse. They dismissed her explanation that her husband, a gentle man, had arrived home from work after 8 p.m. and was not alone with the baby that night. Goble claims the authorities threatened to take her 9-year-old daughter as well, a threat they ultimately carried out.
Conflicting Medical Records and a Biased Petition
While criminal charges were never filed, a review of Finnik’s 321 pages of Children’s Mercy Hospital records and the expert opinions submitted by the parents raises serious doubts about the abuse allegations. The petition presented to the family court judge by the DCF investigator, which led to Finnik and his sister being removed from their home for 179 days, contained inaccuracies and misrepresented the hospital records.
Heather Kirkwood, a nationally recognized expert in false diagnoses of child abuse, examined Finnik’s records and identified six discrepancies between the hospital’s findings and the information presented to the court by the DCF. For example, the petition mentioned “bruising” in various locations, while the medical records indicated redness that appeared and disappeared, suggesting sensitive skin rather than trauma. The petition also falsely stated that Goble and Boxx were not married, potentially influencing the court’s perception of Boxx’s role in the family.
The Lack of a Second Opinion
The core issue, according to critics, lies in the tendency for child abuse pediatricians’ suspicions to prematurely conclude medical investigations, often impacting criminal investigations as well. Goble’s attorney, Cheryl Pilate, expressed concerns about a medical specialty designed to serve the needs of law enforcement and the courts, potentially leading to biased diagnoses, especially when underlying or inherited conditions are involved.
Goble advocates for the right to a second, independent medical opinion before children are removed from their homes. However, she claims that families are often denied access to their medical records, hindering their ability to seek such an opinion.
Hospital’s Response and the Circular Process
Children’s Mercy, in response to inquiries, stated that as mandated reporters, they are obligated to report any reasonable suspicion of child abuse or neglect. They emphasized that the decision to remove a child from parental custody rests with Child Protective Services (CPS) and the courts, with additional evaluation and access to medical records provided at the direction of the current custodian.
Critics argue that the courts heavily rely on the opinions of child abuse pediatricians, who work closely with law enforcement and testify in court, creating a circular process where the initial hospital finding often dictates the outcome. The potential consequences of wrongful removal, particularly the interruption of mother-child attachment, are often overlooked.
Contradictory Findings and Surveillance
The hospital records themselves contain contradictions. For instance, Finnik was initially assessed as having a high stress level due to “ineffective coping and/or inconsistent family support,” despite being described as “calmed with encouragement, calmed with positive touch, distracted with sensory items and participated with parent/caregiver assistance.” Later, a nutrition assessment suggested “severe malnutrition” related to fractures, which was later deemed inaccurate due to an incorrect measurement of Finnik’s length.
The family also felt that the hospital staff engaged in surveillance, documenting their private conversations and “hushed tones.” While the presence of someone else in the room 24/7 is understandable when abuse is suspected, the parents felt that these “psychosocial notes” contributed to building a criminal case against them.
The Aftermath and a Mother’s Plea
Despite the ordeal, Finnik and his sister have been back in their mother’s physical custody since April, although they remain under state control until September 29. Goble acknowledges that they are “lucky,” considering the experiences of other families facing similar accusations.
Shawn Crawl is currently serving a seven-year prison sentence for causing multiple fractures in his infant son, who was later diagnosed with brittle bone disease. Robert Roberson, a man with autism, is on death row in Texas in a “shaken baby” case, despite doubts about his guilt and support from the original police investigator.
Goble, along with other parents who have been falsely accused of child abuse, are advocating for changes to the system. They seek greater accountability, access to second opinions, and recognition of the potential for misdiagnosis. She hopes to testify before lawmakers to bring attention to the issue and ensure that other families are not subjected to the same traumatic experience.
A Call for Fairness and Accountability
Amanda Liebig, who organizes a support group for parents accused of child abuse, emphasizes that they are not trying to shut down child abuse clinics but simply seeking accountability. She believes that if these clinics are performing their jobs correctly, there should be no issue with implementing checks and balances.
Terra Frazier, the senior child abuse pediatrician who signed off on Finnik’s case, has served as an expert witness for the state in other child abuse cases that have later been overturned. In one case, a former day care worker served years in prison before it was determined that the child died of a congenital heart defect. In another, a former Army sergeant spent nearly a decade behind bars for killing his nephew, who was later found to have died of chronic pneumonia.
These cases highlight the potential for devastating consequences when child abuse diagnoses are made without sufficient evidence and without considering alternative explanations. As Goble and other advocates argue, a more fair and accountable system is needed to protect both children and families from the devastating effects of wrongful accusations.