Fort Worth, Texas – A Texas mother, Jessica Gasser, who was accused of subjecting her then-3-year-old daughter to unnecessary medical treatments, has been fully exonerated after an investigation revealed that medical records were altered and the allegations against her were false.
The felony charges of injury to a child and medical child abuse were dismissed following a grand jury decision not to indict her.
The Accusation and Legal Battle
Jessica Gasser had been accused of subjecting her child to unnecessary surgeries and procedures, in what was originally termed Munchausen by proxy (now known as factitious disorder imposed on another).
The charges claimed that Gasser was faking her daughter’s gastroparesis and hypoglycemia, conditions that her medical team later confirmed were genuine.
Exoneration and Evidence
After a thorough investigation and the grand jury’s decision, Gasser’s daughter was reunited with her family, and the Child Protective Services (CPS) case against Gasser was dropped.
According to the Houston-based law firm Connolly Schneider Shireman LLP, which represented the family, doctors independently diagnosed Gasser’s daughter with the conditions she had been accused of faking.
Gasser’s lawyers contend that the case stemmed from a “so-called epidemic of Munchausen child abuse,” which was allegedly cultivated over the years by local authorities, doctors, and child welfare officials. Gasser’s attorneys claim that these individuals used the case to monetize the allegations, generating media appearances, book deals, and consulting jobs.
Allegations Against CPS and Tarrant County Authorities
The attorneys allege that Tarrant County authorities, including the Sheriff’s Department and CPS, deliberately falsified the child’s medical history and caused her severe psychological harm. They also claim that key officials tried to cover up their actions with misleading press releases and public statements, even gaslighting the media.
Text messages and emails uncovered by Gasser’s attorneys allegedly show that CPS and other officials had been collaborating with each other to frame the case, believing that their involvement would make them famous and win public acclaim.
As evidence of this, Gasser’s lawyer, Mike Schneider, pointed to messages in which these individuals discussed their hopes of appearing on 60 Minutes for “saving” the child.
Affidavit from Independent Attorney
Earlier this year, an attorney appointed to represent Gasser’s daughter provided an affidavit supporting Gasser’s innocence. The affidavit stated that all allegations against Jessica and her husband Austin Gasser were false and without merit.
The attorney also claimed that ample evidence was found showing that the medical records of the child were repeatedly altered, including gastroparesis and ketotic hypoglycemia, diagnoses that had been confirmed by doctors at Cook Children’s Hospital.
Future Legal Action
While Jessica Gasser has been exonerated, her attorneys have not ruled out further legal action. Schneider commented that the investigation is still ongoing, and they are considering their next steps regarding those who allegedly conspired against Gasser.
Community Impact
The case has left a mark on the community, with many questioning the motives of the officials involved and the harmful effects of false accusations on families. Gasser’s attorney emphasized the importance of justice for families who might become victims of baseless accusations in similar situations.
