07x13 - For Love of Joshua

[bunniefuu]

All we are doing is withholding
extraordinary medical treatment.

How can I be comfortable
k*lling my baby?

A living human being
was allowed to die

because you refused to take the
necessary steps to keep him alive.

He had Down's Syndrome

and practically every physical
defect that goes with that disorder.

Who gave you the
right to play God?

Personally, Doctor, I
think he has a point.

I've had it up to here
with those retards.

They don't belong
with normal children.

Many cases, medically worse
than the Saundersen infant

have overcome the most
severe medical problems

associated with Down's Syndrome!

Gentlemen, you
are about to enter

the most fascinating
sphere of police work,

the world of forensic medicine.

What do you think?

As far as Mongoloids go,
he's in worse shape than most.

Definitely an esophageal atresia

and it looks like a
tracheoesophageal fistula,

and from the sound of his heart,

my guess is an
endocardial cushion defect.

Operable?

It's 50-50 surgery.

Even if we're successful,

the best the parents will
have is a severe ret*rd.

But it's almost impossible to be
sure about the degree of retardation.

Seth, I've been in the
baby business a long time.

Seen a lot of Mongoloids.

This one doesn't have a prayer.

Yeah, I'm sure you're right.

How are the
Saundersens taking it?

I haven't told them yet.

I'm going to see them now.

What a shame. What
a damned shame.

Mr. Saundersen, Karen...

I know this is a
difficult time for you,

but I'm afraid I'm going to
need your decision soon.

You don't think he should
have the operations?

It's not what I think,
it's what you decide.

But if you want us to operate,

you'll have to sign
these consent forms.

And if we don't consent for
him to have the operations?

It's a matter of days.

But are you sure
he can't get better?

Karen, even if all the
procedures are 100% successful,

the baby will still
be severely Ret*rded.

He'll always require special
care, hospitals, institutions...

He may not learn to feed
himself before he's five.

You're asking
me to k*ll my baby!

No, Karen.

All we are doing is withholding
extraordinary medical treatment.

We already decided.
No operations, right?

We can't take care of him.

Personally, I think that's
the intelligent decision.

Just as long as you are
both comfortable with it.

How can I be comfortable
k*lling my baby?

All right, keep the baby
comfortable, but no food, understand?

- Don't feed him?
- That's right.

But Doctor, if we
don't feed him...

Melanie, that baby
has atresia with a fistula.

Without surgery,
he'll drown in the food.

Then what about
feeding intravenously?

Nothing.

Understand? Nothing.

- Okay, now your other ear.
- My ears are okay.

I'll bet they are, but I
just want to see myself.

Can I look, Dr. Lubow?

What do we have, another
doctor in the making?

No, I just want
to see her brains.

Cut that out. Now
you cut that out!

Okay, now let me take
a peek in that other ear.

Thank you very much.

How does it look?

No sign of
infection. Looks fine.

Excuse me.

Dr. Lubow speaking.

Hello, it's Melanie. I've
got to see you immediately.

I'm sorry, I'm with a
patient right now. What is it?

Doctor, you've got to come
down to the hospital right now.

It's a matter of life and death.
Please, you've got to come.

All right, just stay calm.

I'll come over as soon
as I'm through here.

- Promise me.
- Yes, I promise.

- Goodbye.
- All right, bye.

- Melanie?
- Dr. Lubow, thank God you're here.

Okay, slowly now,
what's this all about?

I can't do it anymore,
Doctor. I just can't.

Do what?

I just can't stand by
and watch this baby die.

They won't let me
feed it. Nothing.

They want to starve it
to death and I can't do it!

Who? Who is "they"?

Dr. Ellerick.

He won't let us give the
baby anything. Not even an IV.

And I can't do it anymore.

It's six days now.

Six days and I can't
sleep at night, can't think...

You followed these instructions?

Yes, I had to. We all had to.

Get me an IV stat.

250 cc normal saline
and a dextrose stick.

Yes, Doctor.

Who are you?

And just what the hell
do you think you're doing?

I'm a pediatrician and I'm
trying to save this baby, Doctor.

Doctor, you are interfering
in the treatment of my patient.

I am giving you exactly five seconds
to move away from that incubator

or I'll have you up before
the Board in the morning.

And you put that IV
back where you found it.

Dr. Lubow, what should I do?

There's no need to do
anything. The baby's dead.

Don't think I'm going to
forget about this, Doctor.

Hello? Yes...

This is Dr. Barbara
Lubow at County Memorial.

I'd like to speak to the
officer in charge of homicide.

What are you guys doing here?

Oh, waiting for the autopsy
results on a baby here.

Give us a couple of hours I'll
call you as soon as we're through.

We don't want to hurry
on this one, Quince.

Yeah, I've got to know
if it's homicide or not.

A case like this is
such a tough one.

Trust me, I'll call you
as soon as I'm through.

I don't want you guys
looking over my shoulders.

What a welcome into
the world for this little one.

They certainly didn't roll
out the red carpet for him.

It looks like Monahan is right.
A case of infant starvation.

Yeah, sunken face and eyes.

Feel the skin, it's like
clay, totally dehydrated.

You know, it seems to me the
skin color is wrong for starvation.

You're right, Sam. Looks
too grayish, almost cyanotic.

Is that common with babies
with Down's Syndrome?

A lot of Down's Syndrome
babies have heart problems.

That could cause cyanosis.

I think we owe it to this baby
to find out if he had any chance.

Give me the small scalpel.

There it is, Sam. An
endocardial cushion defect.

I see it.

There are abnormal openings
between the chambers of the heart.

- The walls never
developed properly.
- Mmm-hmm.

That's right.

So the stronger
muscles of the left heart

pumped extra blood through
that hole into the right heart

and into the lungs.

Too much blood to the lungs

and not enough to the rest of
the body where it was needed.

That accounts for his cyanotic
skin coloring, not enough oxygen.

That's difficult to
repair surgically, isn't it?

Very difficult.

And that's not all this
baby had going against him.

The esophagus never
connected with the stomach,

it just ends in a blind sac,

and this hole from the
esophagus to the trachea

could cause big problems.

So any fluids he tried to swallow
couldn't get to the stomach,

so they would be pushed up
into his lungs through that hole.

That's why they
couldn't feed him.

All because of an
extra chromosome.

And on top of that he probably
would have been severely Ret*rded.

But we'll never know, Sam,

because they didn't do the
surgery necessary to keep him alive.

What are you going
to tell Monahan?

I don't know yet.

This baby d*ed
of natural causes.

Maybe legally, Sam, but no
one lifted a finger to prevent it.

Lieutenant Monahan.

Actually, there are still a
few more tests I'd like to run,

but for now I am issuing a
deferred death certificate.

Cause of death was
pulmonary hypertension

leading to cardiac arrest.

Oh, of course.

Closing ranks and sticking
together. Is that the plan, gentlemen?

- Now just one moment...
- Dr. Asten,

I specifically
called your office

to get a coroner's inquest
on this death, not a whitewash.

Hold it! Hold it! Please.

Doctor, I said I was issuing
a deferred death certificate.

It's not final and could
be amended later.

I also said that I have indicated
the probable cause of death,

not the mode of death.

You're not seriously
thinking of convening

a coroner's
inquest in this case?

- Consider it a "yes."
- That is patently absurd!

Dr. Ellerick, a living human
being was allowed to die

because you refused to take the
necessary steps to keep him alive.

What I did, what I
have always done

and will continue to do

was a sound medical
management decision.

Medical management decision?

What kind of ridiculous
euphemism is that?

With all due respect, Doctor,

you have an awful lot to learn

about the ethical
implications of your profession.

Oh, do I now?

Perhaps you should
enlighten all of us.

Perhaps I should.

Look, we all know
that we can conceivably

keep any living organism
artificially alive virtually forever.

Even if there is
no brain function,

no natural respiration
or heartbeat,

we have machines that can keep
that organism biologically alive.

But I ask you, is that
really saving a life?

You know damn well
this was not the case here,

not with this baby.

Wasn't it?

He had Down's Syndrome

and practically every
physical and mental defect

that goes with that
genetic disorder.

We're talking about
a life of constant,

painful, oppressive convalescence
from countless operations.

A life of severe
mental retardation,

a life that will be nothing more

than an extreme financial
and emotional burden

on an ill-equipped family,

or on society should that
family default for any reason.

You're still living
in the Dark Ages.

Today, with encouragement,

most parents of Down's children

take their children
home when they're born,

where they can grow up to lead
healthy, happy, productive lives.

And besides,

who gave you the
right to play God?

What I have seen in the last
30 years has given me the right.

The endless suffering
and not only of the children,

but of their parents who agonize
and die a little each day with them.

Listen, Doctor,

I didn't become a pediatrician
because I hate children.

I love children.

It does not gladden my heart
to allow a defective child to die.

In fact, it hurts
me very deeply.

But what hurts
me more than that,

is sustaining a
life utterly devoid

of the most basic human
qualities and values.

And who bestowed upon
you the right to decide

what human qualities
and values are acceptable?

You did! All of you did!

I beg your pardon.

Take a good strong look
at the hypocrisy around us.

A whole society out there
who whoop and holler

about the sanctity of life.

Yet when a baby is born
with Down's Syndrome,

does society come forward to
provide for their care or well-being?

Are they willing to shoulder the
financial and emotional burden?

No! Society won't
accept that responsibility.

So instead, we
warehouse children

in substandard institutions
where they wither and die

a few agonizing
years down the line.

We keep our defective
humans out of sight

and pretend they don't exist.

Well, many of my colleagues and I
are very disturbed about these things.

Now, just so there is no
misunderstanding of my position,

let me tell you, open
and above-board.

We have another baby just
like the Saundersen baby.

And I'm going to be
guided in that situation

by my experience of 30 years,

and the dictates
of my conscience.

So, take your best sh*t.

If you decide to convene
a coroner's inquest, fine.

But if any of my colleagues
or I are the least bit maligned,

you can expect a
multimillion-dollar lawsuit.

Can you believe the
arrogance of that man?

Personally, Doctor, I
think he has a point.

I'm not so sure
he's totally wrong.

Well, I am.

Let me tell you something.

Before birth, whatever occurs
is completely up to the mother...

But at the moment of live birth

there does exist a
human being entitled

to the fullest
protection of the law.

And the most fundamental right
enjoyed by every human being

is the right to life itself.

What are you going to do?

I'll tell you what
I'm not going to do.

I'm not going to allow
Ellerick to k*ll another baby,

I'm going to find that baby,

talk to the parents,

and go to court if I have to

to keep that baby alive.

And what about you?

Do I get my coroner's
inquest or not?

Dr. Asten?

Quincy, you did the
autopsy, it's your decision.

You'll get your inquest.

I... I know

it was all my fault.

I just don't know
what I did wrong.

Mrs. Darnell, believe
me, it wasn't your fault,

it wasn't anybody's fault.

You can't blame yourself.

- Then who do I blame?
- No one.

Babies are born with Down's
Syndrome more often than people realize.

One out of every 600-700
babies are born with Down's.

But why me? Why us?

I'm sure Dr. Ellerick explained
that it's called trisomy-21.

It's just an extra
21st chromosome.

Please, believe me,
it's just a freak of nature.

Yeah. That's just
what he is all right,

a freak of nature.

No, Mr. Darnell, he may be
different, but he's not a freak.

Damned doctors, they
should have known.

They should have told us.

Without amniocentesis
there was no way of knowing.

Mrs. Darnell... I
examined your baby and...

Does he have a name?

We were going to
name him... Joshua.

Joshua is a beautiful name...

Strong...

And that's what he can
grow up to be, strong.

Look, Doctor, we
appreciate you coming in,

but my wife and me
already made up our minds.

We're not raising a
freak or a vegetable.

It's just not fair
to our other kids,

him sapping off all
our time and money.

And it's not fair to us either.

Mr. Darnell, I know how
you must be feeling...

Like hell, you do.

You got a Mongoloid kid, Doctor?

No, I don't.

You got any kids at all?

No, I can't have children.

But there are a lot
of people like me...

Who would be
willing to take Joshua,

to take care of him,
love him, provide for him.

That's all I'm asking
you to consider.

Just for the time being.

Howard, please?

Just... Just do what you
want and leave me out of it.

Dr. Lubow! Hi! This is Stacy.

She lives across the street.

- Hey! Catch!
- Oh!

That was not fair.

Here, Stacey, you
hang on to that.

And you...

When I come out, I'll
show you really how to play.

- Hi there, Molly.
- Fine.

How you doing?

Will you look at us! Same color.

Your Mom inside?

- Anybody home?
- Yeah!

Oh! Whole g*ng is here.

Didn't expect you so soon.

- Am I interrupting?
- No, just finishing up here.

Ah, hi, Daniel. Oh,
Jordan. There's a kiss.

Nadou, I want you to
take those kids upstairs

and start cleaning
your rooms. Go on.

Come.

Carlie, you too. Go upstairs.

She isn't feeling very well.

Oh, what's the matter with you?

A little malingering, I think.

Oh, malingering!
It sounds serious.

Why don't you go
upstairs and climb into bed.

I'll come up and take your
temperature as soon as I'm through here.

Okay? You take
Doggy Blue with you.

There you go.

They're terrific.
Everything okay with 'em?

Oh, sure. A cold here,
scraped knee there

and just a routine case
of N-I-M-B-Y Syndrome.

Oh! Good old N-I-M-B-Y.

Not In My Back Yard.

You want some coffee?

No.

As if care provider homes like yours should
be put on islands out in the Pacific.

Well, fortunately, we've been able
to appease most of our neighbors.

I did a lot of checking about
Joshua since you called

- and I think we can do it.
- Oh?

But, there's still a lot of legal
stuff we've got to go through

before we can take him.

Like what?

To begin with, Larry and me are
considered a small family care home.

So that means, with the
license and permits we have,

that means we can only
take in up to six children.

We're at the limit right now.

I just can't send
this baby to County.

And Regional Center doesn't
have one foster home for me.

Not yet, anyhow.

Well, let's hold on. Now,
Larry and I discussed it

and he's willing to take
Joshua just as much as I am.

So, what we decided to do
is apply for a new site permit

and get approval to become
a large family care home.

Anna, you're a lifesaver.
How long will it take?

Six to eight weeks.

We've got to get city,
state and county approval,

approval from all the neighbors,
build an outside fire escape.

Six to eight weeks? That long?

Yeah, I know.

Oh, I'm sorry.

Here are you two going through
all that trouble and expense

and I am just
thinking about myself.

Well, Larry and I have been
discussing one other thing.

- What's that?
- Daniel.

We think it's time he moved up
into an independent living situation.

He's old enough now.

What does Daniel
think about that?

We haven't talked to him yet.

It's not easy.

He's been with us close to
11 years and he's our first.

But if Daniel does
accept that kind of change,

you will have room for Joshua?

Right.

Anna, as much as I
want to place Joshua,

- Daniel comes first.
- Of course he does.

Even without a new baby,

I think it's time for Daniel
to start living on his own.

Let's face it, Larry and I...

Like any parents,
you got to let them go.

Got to let them go
as far as they can.

Anna...

If Daniel does move out into
an independent living center,

he could be the perfect witness
you need for the coroner's inquest.

What do you mean?

If he is able to
live on his own,

he is living proof of our point

that children with
Down's Syndrome

can grow up and lead
normal, productive lives!

I'll call Quincy.

Oh, God!

Oh!

Stacy! Stacy!

I didn't hit her. I didn't hit
her. Not close even. The...

She ran out into the street.

Stacy! What
happened? You all right?

I'm okay. I'm... I didn't...

I'm a doctor. Let me see.

- Did you hit your head?
- No, I didn't.

We were just playing.

How many times did I tell
you not to play with older kids?

Oh, she's all right.
Just scared, that's all.

But it may be wise for
you to see the family doctor.

She chased it into the
street and didn't look.

Stacey, what were you
doing playing with him?

- She's all right.
- Stacey,
go in the house this minute.

And don't you ever
go near that idiot again.

You and those things of yours
have no business on this street!

You keep them inside
where they belong.

They're a menace!

Mrs. Margolin, I know that
Daniel had nothing to do...

I'm not interested.

I've had it up to here
with those retards.

They don't belong
with normal children.

And, believe me, I'm
going to do my best

to get them out of here.

- They're in bed. I got it.
- Oh, thank you, baby.

What do you think of
this program for Danny?

"Giant Step Independent Living
Center." They're not kidding, are they?

Larry, you think
he's ready for it?

I don't know if I am.

Anna, we can talk about
this thing for the next 10 years.

How are you going to know
he's ready until he tries?

He's got to learn
to be independent,

got to learn to live on his own,

he's got to learn to trade.

Right.

Right.

And if he's away, it'll
allow us to take in Joshua...

Yeah.

We'd better talk to him.

Daniel, why are you here?

Shh! Be quiet!

- It's Daniel.
- Yeah.

We'd better talk to him now.

Daniel will be sharing a
room with Peter Hoffman,

a young man about his age.

He's at work now,

but should be back around
5:00 if you care to meet him.

What kind of work does he do?

He just graduated to cook
at a fast-food restaurant.

It's not easy, but we
try to get all of our clients

into what the state calls
competitive employment.

One of our clients
even got a union job

in a newspaper pressroom.

Makes more money than I do

and I've got a Ph.D.

You think Daniel is
ready for that yet, Doctor?

Oh, not yet, but a lot
sooner than you might think.

Daniel, come on, catch up.

Believe me, everybody's
nervous at first,

but I guarantee
you'll love it here.

We're going to show you how
to cook and clean for yourself.

I already know how.

Great. Then you'll
have no trouble at all.

And when you're ready,

you'll learn how to shop
for food and clothes,

how to handle a checkbook
and a savings account,

take a bus, get
a job, the works.

I can learn all those
things at home.

Daniel, I want
you to give it a try.

Give it a chance, okay?

We'll be close
by if you need us.

Well, not quite.

Daniel's first week
is probationary.

We'll do all of our
diagnostic work

evaluations and it'll
be a lot better for Daniel

if he does it on his own.

What do you say, Daniel?
Want to see your new apartment?

Okay...

You go with
Dr. Solomon now and...

I promise you, we'll
be back in a week.

And you listen to her.

Do what she and the
other counselors tell you.

Larry and I are going
to miss you so much.

So much.

Okay, go.

It's all right, it's all right.
This is the best thing.

All right, now tell me again
what you're going to do?

I get on the bus,

put my money in the fare box,

sit down and ride up
to the next bus stop.

- Then I get off.
- Perfect. Great.

And I'll be right behind
you in my car, okay?

- Okay.
- Oh, here it comes.

Go ahead. I'll be
right behind you.

Go ahead, sir, we'll
take the next one.

Hey, don't worry.

We'll wait for the next bus
and I'll go with you, okay?

Hello?

Oh, Dr. Solomon, is
everything all right?

Uh-huh.

Yeah, I see...

I'm really sorry I don't have more
encouraging news, Mrs. Krushevitz.

Well, I know you did
your best, Dr. Solomon.

And I know Daniel
did his best, too.

Well, that's just
it, I don't think so.

Oh!

I see too much potential in him

and I have a very strong
feeling he was holding back.

I see.

Mrs. Krushevitz, our program
works best for those clients

who really want to be here.

Give Daniel another year at
home and then let's try again?

We will. Thank you, Doctor.

I appreciate your efforts, uh...

Well, I guess we'll pick him
up. Tomorrow morning okay?

Fine.

And, Mrs. Krushevitz,
don't give it too much worry.

A lot of our best clients didn't
make it their first time out.

I know.

And thank you again,
Doctor. Goodbye.

I heard.

Well, we'll just have to
give it another sh*t later.

Right?

And now for the
really good news.

Our terrific neighbor Mrs. Margolin,
complained to the city council.

They want to revoke our license.
What do you think about that?

- Yeah! Yeah!
- Yeah! Yeah!

Where are your eyes?
Where are your eyes?

There's your eyes! Where are
my eyes? Where are my eyes?

Ears, yes. And the nose?

That's my ears and your nose?

- Nose.
- Nose, right. And mouth?

Mouth! Perfect! Hey!

I see you made a friend.

- Sure did.
- Come on.

She's terrific. She's
always laughing.

Are they all like this?

Yeah. But it's a mixed blessing.

They're the most loving,
trusting kids you'll ever meet.

What's wrong with that?

When these kids finally
get out on their own,

they're constantly
taken advantage of.

They're cheated, short-changed,
sexually abused, you name it.

Sarah, take her out from
here for me, will you, please?

Can't you teach
them discrimination?

You try, but you can't.

No, what we strive
for is early intervention.

We try to get them
as young as possible,

work with them to
teach basic skills

and try to mainstream
as many as we can

into the public school systems.

- It works?
- It helps.

Early intervention can boost a
Down's child's IQ 10-12 points.

Plus, when we get them young,

we can diagnose sight
and hearing problems.

And if you cure that,

maybe you can boost
their IQ another 20 points.

Dr. Quincy...

None of these kids are going
to grow up to be President.

But most of them can and do

grow up to be happy,
functioning adults.

There are a lot of Down's
people who get driver's licenses,

hold down good jobs. One
even had a novel published.

Doctor...

They all can lead
meaningful, rewarding lives.

I've never doubted
that for a minute.

But you're thinking
about Daniel's failure

at The Independent
Living Center.

I mean, he was our key witness.

And now that he's failed,

Dr. Ellerick can prove his
point with the jury. Right?

Well, his lawyer did talk
to Dr. Asten this morning.

If the coroner's jury
exonerates Ellerick,

he's prepared to sue
all of us for defamation.

Wait a second.

Maybe Daniel can't testify,
but his medical records can.

What do you mean?

Daniel, Kimberly, the rest of them,
they're all happy, healthy kids, right?

I want you to go
through all their records,

find the kids that had the
worst prognosis at birth

and we can show the jury what
healthy, happy children they are right now.

Yeah.

Thank you. Hi, Kimberly.

But how do we deal
with Ellerick's testimony

when he tells the jury that
regardless of how healthy

and loving these kids are,

they are still financial

and emotional burdens...

For their parents?

To a certain extent,
aren't all children?

A skin diver
explores a silent world

of constantly changing
color and beauty.

These discoveries rest beneath the clear
blue waters of lagoons and coral reefs

at various depths in
the Caribbean Sea.

I'll get it.

But there are more of nature's
treasures to be discovered.

Ships from bygone centuries
have been wreaked on these reefs

or sunk in sea
battles with pirates...

Hello. Can I help you?

Hi. Is, uh, Mrs.
Krushevitz home?

Yes. Come in.

- Mrs. Krushevitz?
- Yes?

I'm Howard Darnell.

Oh, Mr. Darnell!
You're Joshua's father.

Yes.

Uh, I'm sorry to
bother you so late but...

I'm sorry, I don't
know what I expected.

I'm not even sure why I came.

You want to see your baby.

Could I?

Of course, I'm...

I'm just so glad you came.

This is Larry. And I'll
get him. He's upstairs.

How do you do? Come on in here.

All right, g*ng,

everyone into the kitchen
for some milk and cookies.

Right now, Jordan, let's go.
Come on, boys. Up and at 'em.

Here we go. Mommy has some
cookies. You dropped the bear.

Please, sit down.

Uh...

- Can I get you anything?
- No, thanks.

This is a big day
for you, Joshua.

You're going to
meet your father.

- May I?
- Of course.

He's all yours. Hold
his head a little bit.

Joshua is all yours.

I didn't know...

I didn't know he'd
be so beautiful.

My son.

Something good for you...

You going?

Yeah. It starts at 1:30.

I'm sorry the sitter canceled.

I'm sorry. I just...

I would feel a lot better
if you were with me.

Me too.

You're going to be all right.

Daniel, you help Larry
with the kids, huh?

- I won't be long.
- I know.

- Bye-bye!
- Bye!

- Tell her goodbye.
- Goodbye.

Hey, tiger, you sure
you don't want lunch?

I'm not hungry.

Where's she going?

We've already told
you where she's going.

- Coroner's inquest downtown.
- Are they...

Are they going to take
all of us away from you?

Now who told you
a thing like that?

- Of course not!
- They are.

Danny, we would never, never
let anyone take you away from us.

Okay?

It's because I didn't
stay at Giant Step.

That's not true.

It is. It's my fault.

I did it.

Daniel! Danny!
It's not your fault!

Danny?

Dr. Asten's going to preside?

Yeah, our usual
administrator is out with the flu,

but don't worry.
Dr. Asten is very fair.

He's been at it a long time.

All right, let's
settle down please.

If the deputy will check
the doors, we'll get started.

You getting on or what?

Listen, kid, I
haven't got all day.

Wait!

- Exact fare only.
- What?

You deaf or something? Put
your fare in the box and sit down.

How much is it?

Eighty-five cents,
15 cents a transfer.

Eighty-five cents?

What's a matter with
you, kid? That's 75 cents.

You need another
dime or get off.

Could you tell me
where Temple Street is?

Yeah, yeah, if I
remember. Sit down.

Okay.

Mr. Dutton, any questions?

Yes, Dr. Asten, just one.

Dr. Quincy,

is it true that nowhere
in your autopsy report

did you list starvation

as a contributory factor
in the infant's death?

Yes. That's true.

Thank you, Dr. Quincy.
No more questions.

Excuse me.

Did we pass Temple Street?

Temple Street? Weren't you
watchin'? We passed it two blocks back.

Stop! I have to get
off the bus. Stop!

Dr. Ellerick, I have some
authentic medical files

of children with
Down's Syndrome.

I'd like you to look at
these files and tell us

if you, personally, would
treat or withhold treatment

from any of these cases.

Dr. Asten, I strenuously
protest at this line of questioning.

I must agree with
you, Mr. Dutton.

Dr. Quincy, we know
each case is unique.

I'm afraid your line of
questioning does not clearly pertain

to the matter at hand.

Dr. Asten, I am
introducing these records

to show the jury
that many cases,

medically worse than
the Saundersen infant

have survived surgeries,

have overcome the most
severe medical problems

associated with Down's Syndrome!

Excuse me, Doctor. Can
I help you, young man?

Daniel, what are you doing here?

- Where's Larry?
- Home.

May I ask what's
going on here, please?

One moment, if you will, Doctor.

Daniel, how did you get here?

I took the bus.

By yourself? You took
the bus by yourself?

Yes.

He took the bus all by himself!

Daniel, can you tell the
jury how you got here today?

You mean, that I took the
bus here and paid for it?

Yes.

I want you to tell
them all about yourself,

about your Down's
Syndrome, everything.

- Can you do that?
- Sure.

Come with me, Daniel.

Dr. Asten, I know
this is very unusual,

but I would like to call this
young man as a witness.

Dr. Asten, are you going to
allow these theatrics to continue?

Mr. Dutton, these proceedings
are more investigative

than, say, like
a criminal trial.

Any witness who can
help us shed some light

in determining the mode
of death should be heard.

I still have to protest.

It's all right with
me. Let him speak.

If you would take
the stand, young man.

Will you please tell us
your name and address?

My name is Daniel Carter.

I live at 1120 Suba Street.

Will you tell us how
you got here today

and why you came?

I... I took the bus here,

all by myself, because...

Because I don't
want people to take us

away from Anna and Larry.

I have three brothers
and two sisters.

And they take care of all of us.

We all have Down's Syndrome.

A lot of people
think we're Ret*rded.

We're not...

We're just slower than you.

We have slanted eyes
so we look funny to you.

We have very thick tongues, so
sometimes we have trouble talking...

And you can't
understand us so good.

But, because we look
and sound different,

a lot of people think
we're not like them.

That we're not as
human. But we are.

We have the same
feelings you do.

We laugh and cry
and get embarrassed.

People hurt our feelings
without thinking about us.

I wouldn't do that to you.

I learned to read and to write.

I learn slower, but I do learn.

I learned to take the
bus and count money.

I'll even learn to live
on my own and get a job.

But I didn't have to learn
to love Anna and Larry.

When my real parents
didn't want me, they did.

Now somebody wants to
take us away from them.

I don't think they should.

Has the coroner's jury reached
a finding in the case before it?

We have, Mr. Commissioner.

Would you please read your
finding to the members of this inquest?

Yes, sir.

"The jury in coroner's
case number 17248

"find five members,
death by natural causes,

"two members, death
at the hands of another."

The Medical Examiner's Office
of the County of Los Angeles

would like to thank the jury

for its patient examination
of the facts in this case.

As to the Los Angeles County
Medical Examiner's Office,

coroner's case number 17248

pertaining to the deceased,
infant male, Saundersen...

This inquest finds the
deceased d*ed of natural causes,

and so shall it be recorded.

This inquest is adjourned.

- Well, we tried.
- And lost.

I'm awfully sorry.

Oh, Daniel, you
were magnificent.

Dr. Lubow, I believe
these are yours.

Yes. Thank you.

Of course, there
will be no lawsuit.

This... This top file, is it the same
Daniel Carter as this young man?

Yes, it is.

I must say that of all
those files, his is the...

I am appalled that if
Daniel had been my patient,

I would have advised his
parents to withhold treatment.

All I can say is I'm glad
he wasn't your patient.

Not half as glad as I am.

Not half as glad.

Did you hear what I heard?

I heard what you just heard.

Did you hear what we heard?

I heard it, but I
don't believe it.

But I believe it.