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| S P E C I A L | The Au Pair Trial |
Parents: Au pair's response was to flee
Eappens appear on CNN's 'Larry King Live'
November 5, 1997
Web posted at: 11:47 p.m. EST (0447 GMT)LOS ANGELES (CNN) -- The parents of Matthew Eappen say English au pair Louise Woodward, portrayed by her defense team as a dedicated caregiver, never came to the hospital to visit their baby, or even called, as he slipped toward death after sustaining a severe head injury.
Eappens appear on CNN's
'Larry King Live'
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Part: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4
5 | 6 | 7 | 8In an interview broadcast Wednesday on CNN's "Larry King Live," Sunil Eappen, the father, said he and his wife were surprised by what they perceived as Woodward's lack of concern during the five days that their son lingered.
"I think you try to put yourself in that situation," he said. "If something like that had happened -- meaning if it was accidental ... if something happened to someone that you were taking care of, that you cared about, it would be paramount, I would think, (to make contact.)"
"I think when you've done something terribly wrong, you want to get away," Deborah Eappen said. "Unless you admit to it, you want to have nothing to do with it. And her response was to flee."
Woodward, 19, was convicted last week of second-degree murder in connection with the 8-month-old's death.
The verdict has sparked debate in United States -- and outrage in Woodward's native Britain. The Eappens, however, strongly support the jury's decision.
"I really believe this is murder," Sunil Eappen said.
"It is terrifying to people, and they want to find a reason why this is not true -- that this person who looks normal could not kill a child, could not abuse a child -- when, in fact, people who abuse children look like everybody else in the world," said Deborah Eappen. "They are not scary-looking."
Sunil Eappen talks about the defense's handling of the case: 608K/50 sec. AIFF or WAV sound Deborah Eappen: "Who can you trust your kids with?" 224K/17 sec. AIFF or WAV sound
Mother: Critics look for someone else to blame
Some of those critical of the verdict have placed part of the blame on Deborah Eappen for not staying home to care for her two children. She told King that she thinks people who are blaming her "want to make someone the villain other than the person who is responsible for murdering a baby."
"I think that they need to blame someone. They need to blame anyone," she said. Deborah Eappen, an ophthalmologist, said those who hold her responsible for the baby's death because she had a career outside of the home "are going back to a 1950s expectation" of what a mother should be.
Sunil Eappen said he thinks the criticism of his wife is "ludicrous."
"To me, it's like blaming the rape victim for being raped," he said. "We should be able to have an expectation that someone is not going to kill your child."
DA defends murder charge
Meanwhile, Tom Reilly, the district attorney whose office prosecuted Woodward, said Wednesday that he was surprised by criticism of the verdict.
"They seem to have lost sight of what this case is all about -- Louise Woodward killed Matthew Eappen," Reilly said during an online chat in Newton, Massachusetts, where the Eappens live.
"I think it shows how far we have to go when it comes to educating people about child abuse and what is happening to children all over this world," he said.
Reilly also defended the decision of his office to charge Woodward with first-degree murder. Some critics have accused prosecutors of filing that severe charge in order to get Woodward to plead guilty to a lesser offense, rather than risk a trial.
"We had evidence from the finest medical personnel in the world that Matthew Eappen had suffered a massive skull fracture, massive injuries to his brain, retinal hemorrhaging that is consistent with child abuse," Reilly said. "We were also advised that degree of force needed to cause these injuries were the same as (a) high speed motor vehicle accident or a fall from a high distance."
"That's murder in this state," he said.
Woodward's parents: 'She's still shocked'
Wednesday, Woodward's parents, Sue and Gary Woodward, told Boston TV station WHDH that their daughter is gratified by the support in England and the United States.
Gary Woodward talks about waiting for the judge's decision: 288K/21 sec. AIFF or WAV sound Sue Woodward talks about Louise and the support she has received: 320K/25 sec. AIFF or WAV sound "We go and see Louise every day and try and keep her spirits up," said Gary Woodward, "Obviously, she was devastated by the results of the trial. It's been a hard job trying to keep her spirits up, but we do our best."
"She's OK," said Sue Woodward. "She's still shocked by the whole thing. She thought by now she would be at home ..."
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Related stories:
- Au pair defense lawyers argue for lesser charge - November 4, 1997
- Judge to reconsider au pair verdict - November 3, 1997
- Au pair supporters protest; attorneys prepare for hearing - November 3, 1997
- Juror: Panel believed nanny didn't intend to kill - November 2, 1997
Related sites:
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- Law Journal Extra
- Lawyers Weekly
- The Louise Woodward Campaign For Justice - official support site set up by family, friends and sympathetic supporters of the British Au-Pair Louise Woodward
- Louise Woodward Support Page - supporters from Boston
- Court TV Casefiles: Massachusetts v. Woodward
- Shaken Baby Resource Centre - informational links, personal stories and articles about Shaken Baby Syndrome
- Home of the International Au Pair Association - non-profit organisation promoting unity between au-pairs, host families and agencies
External sites are not endorsed by CNN Interactive.
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