Palatine Mom Holds Protest, Wants Investigation Into Son's Death

PALATINE, IL—Following the loss of her 2-year-old son, Kara Witkowski said she is determined to get the Palatine Police Department to look into what really happened to her little boy the night of Oct. 31, 2019.

An initial autopsy completed by John Walsh, a forensic pathology fellow at the Cook County Medical Examiner's Office, concluded the cause of death was undetermined and closed the investigation. However, Witknowski said she has never been OK with that ruling and suspects foul play.

On Thursday evening, she and about 30 other protesters took to the streets with signs in hand to demand the Palatine Police Department reopen her son's case.

“1, 2, 3, 4 James deserved so much more. Reopen the death investigation today for James Ryker Biel!” they chanted.

Some people in attendance who heard of Witkowski's story traveled as far away as Michigan to show support for a mother who believes the justice system failed her.

“I was just so happy and so grateful to see people come together and love one another and care for one another and get together for a cause for my son and show their support," Witkowski said.

The Death of James Ryker Biel

Last Halloween, police responded around 9:50 p.m. to the 1300 block of East Evergreen Drive in Palatine for a medical emergency, according to a news release from the Palatine Police Department.

According to a police report, the boy was on a bed in the master bedroom playing with an electronic device after his father, Thomas Biel, left for work that evening. A woman in the family caring for James went to take a shower, and when she returned, she thought he was sleeping on the bed, according to the report. But the woman noticed James' lips were blue, and she called for help, the report notes.

The report says the child's father, Thomas Biel, told police he left for work at 9:35 p.m., during which James seemed to be healthy and "responsive." Biel added that before leaving, James felt warm, and he was going to take him to the pediatrician the next morning. Biel said he then left James in the woman's care and went to work.

Police noted they saw "small red bubble" coming from James' nostril, and red-colored foam in his mouth. He was taken to Northwest Community Hospital in Arlington Heights, and despite resuscitation efforts by paramedics and then hospital personnel, James was pronounced dead, according to the police report.

“I kept asking them. How did this happen? What are the answers? What happened? They wouldn’t tell me what happened. They just said they don’t know. Somebody has to know how my son died," Witkowski said.

Independent Autopsy Conducted

A second autopsy was performed by a licensed and experienced forensic pathologist, according to Witkowski.

Through the assistance of legal aid she was able to view her son's neck organs, heart and brain at the Office of the Cook County Medical Examiner. Her findings were that her son's death was caused by trauma to his cervical spinal cord, hindering the toddler's ability to breathe, and therefore leading to hypoxia, brain swelling and death.

Both Palatine Police Department and the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services have been informed more investigation is required.

"The only incidents that could lead to this type of cervical spinal cord injury would be, unreported car accident, fall, sports injury or child abuse," Witkowski said.

Kara Witkowski gives the background to her story

What's Next

Until someone is held accountable for her son's death, Witkowski said she will continue to demand justice for her little boy.

A second protest is planned on Aug. 21 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. It will take place outside of the Palatine Police Department.

Witkowski has also launched a Change.org campaign to urge police to reopen the case. As of Friday, more than 1,500 people had signed it.

SEE ALSO:

• Mom Wants Case Reopened In Son's Death After Independent Autopsy