Palatine Mom Plans 2nd Protest In Son's Death Investigation

PALATINE, IL — Dozens of people came together Thursday outside the Palatine Police Department to demand police to reopen the death investigation for James Ryker Biel, who was just 2 years old when he died on Oct. 31. Leading the peaceful protest was James' mother, Kara Witkowski, who's planned a second protest scheduled to take place from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., on Aug. 21. This one will also be held outside the police department.

Thursday's protest was held following news of the results from a second autopsy performed on the toddler by a licensed and experienced forensic pathologist, according to Witkowski. Through the assistance of legal aid, Kara 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.

The Death of James Ryker Biel

Police responded around 9:50 p.m. on Halloween 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. A woman in the family caring for James went to take a shower, and when she returned, she thought he was asleep 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.

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Witkowski said the police report mentioned nothing about any sort of incident, and wonders how could this be an "accident."

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

Witkowski has also launched a Change.org campaign to urge police to reopen the case. As of Monday, more than 2,500 people had signed it.

> More information on Aug. 21 peaceful protest