Bizarre Sequence Of Events Leads To Medical Malpractice Suit For Death Of 7-Month Old

Cecelia Nin was 7-months old in 2013 when she died. Her mother, Kareliz Nin, initially brought Cecelia to Wilkes-Barre General Hospital for injuries and possible seizures but was soon released. Shortly thereafter, Nin brought the baby to Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center with similar injuries. The hospital suspected abuse and contacted local social services; meanwhile, Cecelia was transferred to a Danville hospital and died. In 2014, Nin was made aware that an estate was established for her daughter. A medical malpractice suit was filed by attorney David Aikens. Aikens would not comment due to the pendency of malpractice case. This case is seeking damages from Wilkes-Barre General for failing to take appropriate actions when Cecelia was a patient there.

Aiken’s suit states that Cecelia should have been properly diagnosed as a victim of child abuse and afforded protective custody, rather than released to her mother for possible additional abuse. Ultimately, the death was ruled a homicide, as the girl had fractures to her ribs and forearms, in addition to head injuries. Despite the suspicious circumstances of the death, Nin was not charged with a crime. The Luzerne County Child & Youth Services was the primary agency that investigated the matter. The search warrants indicated that Nin told police she brought the baby to the hospital for seizure-type symptoms. Further, Nin stated that the girl might have fallen from the couch and impacted a marble table; however, she did not witness anything occur. Police inspected her property thoroughly on the date the baby died. Neighbors say that Nin abruptly moved to another location.

The medical malpractice suit contains significant details that Nin said could only have come from the illegal dissemination of information from Luzerne County Child & Youth Services. Nin says that she was not made aware of the injuries and that the County handled the investigation, but never released findings or brought any charges. Nin has since filed a suit against the county for the conduct of contempt, obstruction, and collusion. Apparently, several of Nin’s relatives had contacted the agency before the death seeking custody of the child, but the applications were disregarded. Nin’s suit against the county has been transferred to a federal court.

Richard Zeszotarski was the building manager where Nin lived at her apartment and said he has never seen Nin or her other daughter since the events. He mentioned that it was odd that Nin used to have late-night parties despite having two small children. Meanwhile, it is yet to be determined how her suit against the county will impact the medical malpractice case against the hospital.