Mexico

Herbalist Sentenced to Four Months Jail Time in Child's Death

The teenage victim died of cardiac arrest, which could have been prevented with proper medical treatment.

What to Know

  • The Los Angeles City Deputy attorney said Timothy Morrow gave false hope to the victim's family that he would be healed by herbal remedies.
  • Morrow was also ordered to take down YouTube videos extolling the virtues of herbal treatments in lieu of medicine.
  • The teen victim died of cardiac arrest from complications of diabetes that could have been solved with proper medical treatment.

An herbalist convicted of practicing medicine without a license pleaded no contest on Monday to a related misdemeanor child abuse count stemming from the death of a 13-year-old diabetic boy in the Harbor Gateway area and was sentenced to 120 days in jail.

Timothy Morrow, 84, was convicted last Wednesday of practicing medicine without a license, but jurors were unable to reach a unanimous verdict on the child abuse charge after spending portions of three days discussing the case.

Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Victoria B. Wilson also sentenced Morrow to 120 days on the earlier conviction, but that time is to run concurrent. The two sentences include a total of four years summary probation, one year of child abuse counseling, a $5,000 fine and restitution to the victim's family for all funeral expenses, according to the City Attorney's Office.

Morrow was also ordered to take down YouTube videos extolling the virtues of herbal treatments in lieu of medicine and to print a clear warning label on herbs he packages for sale.

The defendant was advised that if he continues such acts and they lead to the death of another person, he can be charged with murder.

Morrow is set to surrender on March 22 to begin serving his term.

Local

Get Los Angeles's latest local news on crime, entertainment, weather, schools, COVID, cost of living and more. Here's your go-to source for today's LA news.

Everything you need to know about the Dodgers Opening Week at Chavez Ravine

California's commercial Dungeness crab season will end April 8 to protect whales

"This case underscores the serious health and safety risks of taking medical advice from someone who lacks a license and the proper training that goes with it," said City Attorney Mike Feuer. "These convictions send a strong message that my office will continue to hold accountable those whose actions place lives in danger." 

In closing arguments last Tuesday, Los Angeles Deputy City Attorney Heidi Matz told jurors that Morrow gave "hope" to the teen's family by assuring the boy's mother that he was going through a "healing crisis" and convincing them to use herbal products instead of insulin to treat his Type 1 diabetes before the teen's August 2014 death. She cited what she called "criminal negligence" and "callous disregard" by Morrow.

Defense attorney Sanford Perliss countered that the teen's mother didn't even know Morrow when she informed a doctor that she wanted to give her son herbal remedies.

"Nobody held a gun on Edgar. Nobody held a gun on Edgar's mom. Nobody stole insulin from that house so Edgar's mom couldn't use it," Perliss said in his closing argument. "Edgar's mom wanted to do what Edgar's mom wanted to do."

The herbalist's attorney noted that the teen's mother testified about growing up in Mexico using traditional remedies and about Morrow telling her his story about successfully battling cancer without undergoing chemotherapy or radiation.

"That's his life," Perliss said. "Is it a crime to tell people your experiences?"

The defense lawyer - who urged jurors to acquit his client - suggested that Morrow became a "sacrificial lamb" after the teen's death, and said the case "hasn't been proven beyond a reasonable doubt."

In her rebuttal argument, the prosecutor countered, "This case is proven beyond any doubt."

She told jurors the boy died within hours of Morrow visiting the family's home and that Morrow's control over the boy's family did not abate until the teen passed away.

"Edgar died unnecessarily and today we are here for him," the deputy city attorney said.

The teen had a cardiac arrest and died as the result of complications from his diabetes. The medical examiner determined that he would have lived if he had received the proper medical treatment, according to the City Attorney's Office.

Through a Spanish interpreter, the teen's mother, Maria Madrigal, testified last week that she initially began giving her son supplements and only used products that Morrow sold after meeting him. She told jurors that Morrow had warned her "not to trust doctors," and that she "absolutely" felt he had brain-washed her.

The City Attorney's Office urged anyone with information about the unlicensed practice of medicine to contact the Consumer and Workplace Protection Unit at (213) 978-8070.

Copyright CNS - City News Service
Contact Us