Whitfield woman accused of starving child pleads innocent
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Posted 8:34AM on Sunday, January 6, 2002
DALTON - A Whitfield County woman has pleaded innocent to charges that she starved her 4-year-old son to death. <br>
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Stephanie Ann Saine, 26, was charged with murder and cruelty to children after investigators said Joshua Daniel Porter died of malnutrition and dehydration. <br>
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Saine, who entered her plea Thursday, has said Joshua died of natural causes. She is being held without bond. <br>
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Joshua had ``various congenital birth defects'' and numerous subsequent medical problems, and Saine failed to keep doctor's appointments for him, Whitfield County Sheriff Scott Chitwood said. <br>
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The boy died at home April 30. Saine was charged two months later. <br>
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A Georgia Bureau of Investigation autopsy also found evidence of neglect, Chitwood said.