Prior to his death, Little Bryan had experienced several hospitalisations due to breathing difficulties. It led to the family being instructed not to smoke in the house around him.
The asthma was so serious that Little Bryan was prescribed a home nebulizer.
Police were told about little Bryan’s asthma disorder when questioning the father. This is highlighted in police notes.
At Tasha’s original trial, Little Bryan’s asthma was never discussed to be a potential cause of Little Bryan’s death.
In 2018, upon learning of the severity of little Bryan’s asthma disorder, Dr Riddick changed his mind on the cause of Little Bryan’s death.
His new opinion was that little Bryan died from accidental causes with his asthma disorder being a contributing factor due to a lack of oxygen in the blood resulting in a fatally low level of oxygen reaching the brain. This was, in his view, one part of a cascade of events (seizures, short fall, and breathing difficulties) that led to little Bryan’s death.
Q. You mentioned a triad of injuries. Can this triad of injuries, cerebral edema, subdural hematoma and retinal hemorrhaging, can that have, those injuries, the triad, have causes other than abuse?
A. Yes.
Q. Can a lack of oxygen cause any of these symptoms?
A. It can certainly cause swelling of the brain.
Q. Can seizures cause any of these symptoms?
A. Yes.
Q. And can a short fall cause any of these symptoms?
A. Yes.
– Dr Riddick testifying in Tasha’s Post Conviction Relief hearing (2018)
Free Tasha Shelby 