Debra Fraher, 71, a former licensed vocational nurse, is on trial in Lubbock in the death of a 4-month-old child who was in her care. She is charged with recklessly causing injury to a child by failing to provide proper medical care, according to court documents.
Court documents say that on Jan. 18, 2023, Fraher was caring for the child while the parents were inside the home. The child had a rare genetic disorder and used a ventilator to breathe. The state says the child's tracheotomy tube was disconnected and a high-priority ventilation alarm sounded several times. The state alleges Fraher ignored the alarm until the child's mother walked into the room and saw the child turning discolored.
The child went into cardiac arrest and died eight days later, the state said. Closing arguments and jury deliberations are expected Friday morning.