Mother accused of abusing daughter may have been suffering

CHARLOTTE, N.C.,None — A mother charged with abusing and neglecting her infant daughter may be suffering from post-partum depression.

Timothy Parlier told Eyewintess News on Friday that his wife had been on anti-depressant medication since Naomi Parlier was born.

Naomi sufferes from a cleft palate and other medical issues, and Parlier said his wife, Ladonna, was often overwhelmed with the constant hospital visits.

"She would get better, then go down hill ... get better, then go down hill," Parlier said.

Naomi's parents checked her into CMC two months ago due to concerns with her inability to gain weight. At five months old, she weighs just eight pounds.

Parlier said Ladonna never left Naomi's side, and had stopped taking her medication.

He also said the hospital had recently assigned an aide to Naomi's room to observe around the clock.

Police have said hospital staff grew suspicious of Ladonna, and also moved her to a room with surveillance cameras.

Ladonna Parlier was arrested Thursday after police said the cameras caught her putting a substance in Naomi's IV.

"I can't get it through my head that this has really happened," said Timothy Parlier.

But a local support group, who advocates for families of children with cleft palates, said depression is all too common for parents struggling with their children's conditions.

"I didn't sleep, we were there around the clock," said Elizabeth Haney.

Haney, who runs a local chapter for the group Cleft Smile, is reaching out to Ladonna and other parents to prevent any more tragedies.

Haney's own daughter was born with a cleft palate, and said often parents don't ask for help when they begin to feel overwhelmed.

"She [Ladonna] has resources, and you have to find the resources," Haney said.

WSOC