In re Mathew D.

OPINION OF THE COURT

Nora Freeman, J.

Due to the severity of the injuries sustained by the infant, the gravity of the charges filed against the respondent parents, and the time required to obtain medical evidence, the trial of this child abuse case was protracted. The petitions filed on February 9, 1995 allege that two-month-old Lucas D. suffered at least 17 broken bones while in his parents’ care, including fractures to the clavicle, eight ribs, tibia, humerus, both femors and "possible” (later confirmed) skull fracture. At the time of diagnosis, the respondent parents denied any wrongdoing…