What Killed Rebecca Riley?

Katie Couric Reports On The Diagnosis Of Bipolar Disorder In Kids

(CBS)  On Dec. 13, 2006, police responded to a 911 call and found a little girl lying dead on the floor next to her parents' bed. The autopsy revealed that she had died from an overdose of psychiatric drugs. Rebecca Riley was being treated for bipolar disorder, or manic depression, even though she was just four years old.

If that sounds unusual to you, it's not. As Katie Couric reports, until recently the disorder was believed to emerge only in adults. Now, it is estimated that there are nearly one million children diagnosed as bipolar, making it more common than autism and diabetes combined. And to treat it, doctors are administering some medications that have yet to be approved for children. In the case of Rebecca Riley, that cocktail of medications proved fatal and now her parents have been charged with her murder.

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Carolyn Riley is now in jail in Boston awaiting trial and is being medicated for depression. She told 60 Minutes her daughter's problems began when Rebecca was only two years old. Carolyn took her to a psychiatrist because she had difficulty sleeping and seemed hyperactive.

"Constantly getting into things, running around, not being able to settle down," Riley remembers.

"Did you ever think, 'Well, she's two and a half years old.' There's this thing called the terrible 2's. Did you think this could, in fact, be normal?" Couric asks.

"Yes," Riley tells Couric. "The psychiatrist said that she thought that it was more than just normal."

The toddler who could barely speak in full sentences was diagnosed with bipolar disorder after several sessions over eight months. She had just turned 3. And she wasn't the only one in the family: her ten-year-old brother and four-year-old sister were already being treated for the same illness by the same doctor at Tufts-New England Medical Center. Rebecca was eventually prescribed three medications to stabilize her mood: Seroquel, an anti psychotic; Depakote, an anti seizure drug; and Clonidine, a blood pressure medication -- medications that would ultimately prove fatal on Dec. 13th.

Riley says she thought Rebecca had just a little bit of a cold and gave her daughter "Children's Tylenol Plus Cough & Runny Nose."

In the middle of the night, Riley remembers her daughter didn't want to go to sleep. "So I brought her in the room. She was right beside me on the floor. And I laid down and went to sleep," she recalls.

Before she put her to bed that night, next to her on the floor, Riley says she gave her daughter half a Clonidine.

Asked why, Riley tells Couric, "Because she hadn't been able to get to sleep since six o'clock."

"Then what happened?" Couric asks.

"Then I woke up to the alarm in the morning. And knelt down to wake her up. And there was no waking her up," Riley replies.

Riley says she knew at that point that her daughter had died. Carolyn Riley and her husband Michael were charged with first-degree murder.

The prosecutor alleged at their arraignment in February that they were overdosing Rebecca by repeatedly giving her more medication than she was prescribed. "It was used on Rebecca, her sister and her brother for one simple purpose by these defendants: to knock them out and make them sleep," the prosecutor claimed.

But the Rileys claim that they were following doctor's orders. 60 Minutes wanted to talk to the psychiatrist, Dr. Kayoko Kifuji, but she declined. Instead 60 Minutes got a statement from her hospital: "The care we provided was appropriate and within responsible professional standards."

60 Minutes did obtain a copy of Rebecca's medical records. In them, Dr. Kifuji notes Rebecca's increased risk of mental illness because of her family history. She diagnosed Rebecca after Carolyn said her daughter was - quote - "driving me crazy" and her mood switches within a minute. She would eventually prescribe the preschooler more than ten pills a day.

Riley says she did feel that that was a lot of pills for a little girl, but she says she went ahead and gave Rebecca the prescriptions. "I trusted the doctor," she says.

Dr. Kifuji has stopped practicing, pending a ruling by the state medical board. But her lawyer has said she was just practicing mainstream psychiatry. It's now estimated that nearly one million children like Rebecca Riley have been diagnosed with bipolar disorder, or manic depression. And while some psychiatrists told 60 Minutes that early diagnosis is saving lives, a growing number of doctors say it is being over-diagnosed.

[major_psych]

Carolyn Riley to me seems like the textbook definition of a neglectful mother. She says that Rebecca had cold-like symptoms and couldn't fall asleep so she gave her Tylonel... oh and Chlonidine, because that combination is the best for curing a sick child. NOT. And how is it that a teacher who spends what, 6 hours or maybe less with a preschooler was able to notice symptoms of lethargy and even described Rebecca as a "floppy doll" while Carolyn didn't even notice any changes in Rebecca's behavior? Maybe because the whole reason she wanted Rebecca to be on those medications was for the child to be out of her hair, and also, in her own words "she's driving me crazy." Um, I've got news for you lady, a two-three-four-heck five-year old WILL drive you nuts AT TIMES but you need to spend time with them, provide them with activities, with love, with patience. NOT with drugs. And yeah, I'm sure that there are a few of children out there with severe mood disorders that do need therapy, but drug therapy especially ones that we don't know the effects they might have on children should be out of the question. There's this wonderful thing called behavior therapy! Instead of running to a doctor's office and getting your child a prescription, try looking into the background of your child's diagnosis so you can fully understand the prognosis and prevent another tragedy like this from ever reoccuring. By the way- Carolyn's teeth looked rather decayed... I'm guessing meth-addict, but that's only my opinion.

[ashleyaddams]

I have read the responses and I am a parent of an ADHD and Autistic Male Child. He was diagnosised when he was 3 but didn't start medication until he was 5. My mother is manic depresive with a bi-polor disorder. I have seen her go from a very gorgous aggressive independant woman to a shell of a person from over stimulated drug use. Oh I also worked in the Pharmacutical industry for 12 years as well (to this day she takes about 20 pills a day). I can't even leave her alone with her grandchildren even on good days for fear of a lapse, I love her but I can't always trust her. The other things they don't tell you is how many also use NON PERSCRIPTION drugs which in my case unfortunatly my mother also did.The problem is most people (including parents) don't have total disclosure with there doctors this prevents the doctor from being affective in your treatment.I do believe there are children with these disorders, I mean a child breaking a door off hinges absolutly has some mental problems, but medicating them into zombies is NOT the answer. Riddle me this how is ZOMBIE like behavior normal childhood behavior???It isn't and unfortunatly I have read all the articles on this case and I have to agree with the law, I believe she KNEW she was over medicating the child and DID nothing to correct it. My son weighs 65 pounds he takes 0.02mg of clonidine per night (Which little Becky at 4 was taking .35mg)that is enough to knock out a 150 pound person for at least 12 hours.My mother takes seriquel she weighs approx. 165 and she is like a ZOMBIE for hours after taking the stuff.My son takes Focalin 20mg time release capslues for his ADHD he takes Zomig (only when a migrain is on-set)1 or 3 times per month, chyproheptadine (annahystamine to trigger Zomig) 1/2 in morning whole at night(also helps him relax NOT CRASH)and clonidine 0.02mg per night. I have tests done on his liver and kidneys and regular physicals.You have to be responsible when administering drugs to your child, watch the child don't just pop them a pill and walk away use good judgment and just care about your children and LISTEN to them as well they also can identify when something isn't right.Also I don't know any 4 year olds that go to bed at 6pm at night my daughter is 4 and sleeps very little but she has no troble consintrating or focusing she gets into soooo much but to be honest it won't hinder her abilities in school she at age 4 can count to 10 and know almost all her ABC's, her brother barly spoke at her age and I just knew something wasen't right.

[Liz_Kelly]

There are also a number of helpful public radio stories at The Infinite Mind

http://www.lcmedia.stores.yahoo.net/infinitemind.html
http://www.lcmedia.stores.yahoo.net

[lmshaker]

I just found out about Rebecca. I am ABSOLUTELY Disgusted.
How could any doctor in their RIGHT MIND diagnose a TWO year old with bpd?? How? This doctor should be....ashamed...have hislicense revoked/be educated in the least. Her mother should have read some books on raising children. Two years old. Unreal...

What kind of symptoms could Rebecca have exibited to be diagnosed?

Sexual Promiscuity?
Impulsivity? Did she take a credit card buy 20k worth of goods while manic??
Drug use?
Weeks of depression, weeks of mania? Or could it be that she is two years old and needed mothering and become acclimated and better adjusted?

WIth what experiences did this child have for anyone to measure an ADULT illness?

I'm sickened over this.

[sharinginc]

Look at Rebecca''''s forensic evidence, look at the lack of attempt at Bi-Polar education of the parents. Also, look at the horrific facts on over medicating by physicians today.

I will ask everyone on this blog to do a poll and ask other parents at their child''''s school if their children are on any meds. My husband coaches 11-12yr old rec football. Half the team is on something and so are the parents. His father teaches middle school and has for 30+ years. The statistics would blow you away, just at his school.

We all know the real issue here and we need to get a handle on it NOW. It is not bi-polar that is the epidemic problem. It is the mis-diagnosis in children and others, over-medication in all areas and the root causes/triggers of these supposed RAMPANT illnesses.

The doctors are not just doing this to children ask any senior citizen you pass on the street the same questions. It is the power of the drug companies, medical field and the lack of public education and misguided trust in those systems. See our earlier posts.

We are now asking that you help us petition to STOP this abuse of our children and families. We need your support to be able to act on this epidemic NOW.

www.sharinginc.com

[jonjojo777]

My Daughter is in a similar situation living with her BI Polar mother. She is 5 years old and is currently taking
Seroquel.I believe she has been misdiagnosed and am very concerned and worried.She,s the most well behaved child in the world when she,s with me. I think [ the system] has wrapped her up in their little game.The mother goes to a mental health service for parenting skills, and then all the sudden she has Bi Polar disorder. What does a duck say ? If anyone can help me and my daughter, or have any info, please contact me at my [e-mail] thankyou

[jonjojo777]

My Daughter is in a similar situation living with her BI Polar mother. She is 5 years old and is currently taking
Seroquel.I believe she has been misdiagnosed and am very concerned and worried.She,s the most well behaved child in the world when she,s with me. I think [ the system] has wrapped her up in their little game.The mother goes to a mental health service for parenting skills, and then all the sudden she has Bi Polar disorder. What does a duck say ? If anyone can help me and my daughter, or have any info, please contact me at my [e-mail] thankyou

[jonjojo777]

My Daughter is in a similar situation living with her BI Polar mother. She is 5 years old and is currently taking
Seroquel.I believe she has been misdiagnosed and am very concerned and worried.She,s the most well behaved child in the world when she,s with me. I think [ the system] has wrapped her up in their little game.The mother goes to a mental health service for parenting skills, and then all the sudden she has Bi Polar disorder. What does a duck say ? If anyone can help me and my daughter, or have any info, please contact me at my [e-mail] thankyou

[sharinginc]

We are focusing on the issue at hand. There are organizations who cover the issue of a cure. This is how an issue never gets resolved. It get diluted and then it dies. Please lets deal with the subject of those who are abusing the systems and the patients lack of education. Not the ones who are doing it right. The only ones who need to be delt with are those who are abusing the systems and families. Also, families who are abusing their children through this system they can "work". It is out there. If you are not doing it, or do not want to help others fix it, then please do not condem a honest mission.

www.sharinginc.com

[j_m_ryan-2009]

Katy Couric (and her producer) did a respectable job on the feature regarding the tragic death of 4-year-old Rebecca Riley and the prescribing of so-called antipsychotic drugs to toddlers. They did bring out as "expert" Dr. Joseph Biederman, who never heard of a drug he didn''t like to prescribe to anybody. Dr Biederman has been accused by another Doctor, Lawrence Diller, M. D., of being "morally culpable in providing the ''science'' that allowed Rebecca to die." (Boston Globe, June 19, 2007). Dr. Diller further wrote "... The ultimate absurdity of this {Biederman''s} scientific model is diagnosing bipolar disorder in 2-year-olds and linking it to the adult disorder of the same name -- in the process saddling young children as chronic mental patients condemned to a lifetime of psychiatric drugs."

For "balance" they interviewed a Dr. John McLellan, who runs a clinic in Seattle. Dr. McLellan stated that he thought that antipsychotic drugs were over-prescribed, not that the drugs are dangerous. They had no one like Drs. Peter Breggin, Fred Baughman, Lawrence Diller, or Grace Jackson as balance, to explain how dangerous these powerful, brain-altering drugs are, particularly to young, developing brains.

Overall though, it was about as good as those of us who worry about the dangers of these powerful drugs can expect from network TV, given that the networks make millions of dollars yearly for advertising prescription drugs.


J. M. Ryan
Las Cruces, NM

[sharinginc]

You can read our reason''s at:
www.sharinginc.com

Or go straight to our PETITION at:

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/be-our-voice

[sharinginc]

Please see our previous posts and sign our petition. We need your responses to continue on with this issue. If we let it die, then they will continue to profit from the lack of pubic education. We can begin a great mission here for our children if you just continue to speak out on your intollerance of abuse through the medical field for profit. That is the story. Doctors should have guidelines and we all know they do not. Rebecca''s story has rang the alarm. Do not let it fade into the background with the rest of the "big money" issues that big business hopes will get swept under the rug. Speak up!

www.sharinginc.com

[brightchild]

I also say, that maybe if I had medication as a child I would not have attempted suicide at age 11 and 18. Therapy alone did not work for me.

[brightchild]

Bipolar is only a stigma because of ignorant society. There are many people who are adults with bipolar and function society. And Sally%u2026.. I myself have a professional career, have been to college, have a mortgage, have health insurance, and I never had the desire to serve in the military. Oh! I have custody of my children as well.

My son goes to ministry school on Tues. Bible study on Thurs. and Church on Sunday. He also volunteers in the community. He has more manners that many of the children I have encountered in his school. I am very proud of him. And yes, he is bipolar. Many people would not have known unless we told them, or when he was hospitalized four times for rapid cycling.

Sharinginc, if you really want to start a petition that makes a difference. Petition for more funding for the cure of this illness.

[tink517]

Sally, Did I use an exteme example to put emphasis on my point? Yes! You trivialize the condition when you use the term label vs diagnoses.
Sally wrote:
As for the person who posted that there are plenty of people labeled as bipolar who function in society, of course that''''s true, however, once someone discloses that they are bipolar, they are not allowed to function in society. When you label your child bipolar and disclose such on your heatlh insurance claims and/or to school systems, that child is forever labeled and stigmatized unfairly.

With people like you out there, the stigma will continue. Your oversimplication of the causes of this condition don''t just border on, but are ludicris (sp). At least when I suffer from dillusional thinking, my family knows to get me help. Also, I thank God that I don''t run into many people who think the way you do. I do not keep it a secret that I am bi-polar. I am open and upfront. I am one of the lucky ones who is on the right medication.

[mdw19581]

First off, let''s not forget that Katie Couric''s story was completely one-sided. All she did was interview a severely depressed, heavily medicated grieving mother who could barely defend herself. What she didn''t do, what she should have done to present a truly balanced picture, was to go into the home of some of these children, and FILM THE CHILDREN! Show the public how these children really think and act.

None of you can pass judgment until you have lived with such a child. CBS did a horrible disservice by failing to show the public what the home life of such a child and their family is like. If Katie Couric had spent half her time in such a home filming the actual children, instead of interviewing a medicated, grieving mother, maybe some of you would have a glimpse of what it is like to live with child whose ever hour of life is filled with fear, paranoia, pain, grandiosity, aggression, and suicidal thoughts.

Tink wrote: "Sally, Stigma, mortgage insurance, getting into college? There are people on this board with children who don''''t want to live to see the light of tomorrow."

Tink, you cannot really be telling me that you think its okay to label these kids because they wouldn''t be able to accomplish anything anyway. Perhaps people with children they choose to label bipolar should look to the parents of children with down''s syndrome for role models. That''s an honorable group of people who don''t blame their children or limit their opportunities.

As for the person who posted that there are plenty of people labeled as bipolar who function in society, of course that''s true, however, once someone discloses that they are bipolar, they are not allowed to function in society. When you label your child bipolar and disclose such on your heatlh insurance claims and/or to school systems, that child is forever labeled and stigmatized unfairly.

[tink517]

As I said in my first post, there needs to be more doctors like the one from Washington state. Are there children out there that are misgidagnosed? Yes, but I don''t believe that can be said for all of them. Are some of these misdiagnosis do to poor parenting? Yes, but that also can not be said for all. There is no child on this earth that asked to be here so our obligation is to give them the best possible upbringing that we can. We being not just the parents, but society as a whole. To get somewhat off subject, there are parallels in how we deal with our children to how we care for our elderly. As a volunteer with two different hospitals, and member of a pet therapy group, visitation of the sick and elderly does not seem to be high on anyone''s list. During the course of a month, I''m in and out of 6-7 nursing and rehab centers and two mental health facilities. Regular family visitation of residents of thses facilities does not seem to be a high priority on anyone''s list. As a manic depressive, I would not be able to do any of this except for the proper medications and the excellent care that I receive from my doctor.

[alikirsten]

Read the comment of the mother who placed her son on so many different meds. Skykysmom...even she herself said that after her son was diagonsed and was doped up and hospitalized he was taken off the meds and now is a COMPLETELY DIFFERENT CHILD...............................

[alikirsten]

I am the mother of a three year old little girl. And I am only 21 years old. In watching this clip tonight and reading some of the responses I honestly have to say you people make me sick.There is no such thing as a toddler being too hyper or even bipolar. It is called POOR,LAZY parenting. If you can''t off your behinds to raise your children and you actually have to go to a liberal money hungry "doctor" to dope your children up so that they don''t drive you "crazy" then you had absoultely NO RIGHT becoming parents to begin with. YOu people honestly make me sick to stomach. And to say that the medication is helping your children wait till five years from now when their brains are so DOPED up from all the pills you have given them cause you dont have a clue as to how to raise them. Think about all the side affects...I mean come on people. WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU?!?!?!?!?! THis poor little girl died because her ghetto mother couldnt get off her fat *** to interact with her child and thought the best thing for this FOUR year old would be to put her soo many DIFFERENT kind of pills...the kind of pills that havent even been tested much like the pills you lazy mothers are putting your kids on NOW and claiming it''s "helping" them. I just hope and pray that there will not be another child that ends up like this little girl and shame on you for not using proper parenting.