Mum ‘killed sick girl’

Murder charge laid over death of ‘terminally ill’ daughter, 7

A COLORADO mother who sought donations to cover medical treatments for her daughter and promoted the girl’s “bucket list” of dreams to fulfil before she died has been indicted on a murder charge.

The seven-year-old’s death was previously believed to be from a terminal disease.

Kelly Renee Turner, 41, also known as Kelly Gant, was charged with 13 counts that included child abuse, theft and charitable fraud in the death of Olivia Gant in 2017.

The indictment alleges Turner caused Olivia Gant’s 2017 death, not the multiple illnesses that the mother claimed the girl had and that prompted publicised ride-alongs with police and fire crews.

The Make-A-Wish Foundation, which grants wishes to critically ill children, also paid about $11,000 for a “bat princess” costume party for her.

Turner was arrested on Friday at a Denver-area hotel and held without bond. Olivia’s death was originally attributed to intestinal failure, according to the indictment.

Her body was exhumed last year, and an autopsy found no evidence of that illness or other conditions that Turner claimed the girl suffered, including seizure disorder and a build-up of fluid in cavities within the brain. Olivia’s death is now listed as undetermined.

Investigators say Olivia had been using a feeding tube and was admitted in July 2017 to Children’s Hospital Colorado, where doctors said her nutrition was deficient.

One doctor told investigators that Turner wanted to withdraw all medical care and artificial feeding for her daughter because her quality of life was so bad. He said she insisted that he sign a “do not resuscitate” order for her daughter. Olivia died a few weeks later.

The investigation into Olivia’s death began after doctors at the hospital became suspicious last year after Turner brought in her older daughter because of “bone pain”, according to the indictment.