Mum caught committing sick act on her frail daughter, 3, as she lay in a hospital bed – & it exposed an even darker past
Her apparently doting mother Brittany Phillips sat by her side. But, when the nurses' backs were turned, she did the most unspeakably depraved act to her defenceless little girl.
4
4
When no one was looking, Phillips smeared human faeces onto Alyssa's feeding tube in a bid to make her MORE ill.
She was aping a case she read about online concerning Emily McDonald, a 23-year-old mother from Austin who, four months earlier, had been sentenced to 20 years in prison for poisoning her daughter by putting poo onto her IV catheter.
It was later revealed that Phillips had keyed in terms to her computer like 'poo in the feeding tube' and 'pee in veins'.
Sick poisoning
Hours later, Alyssa developed a rare and extremely dangerous blood infection caused by her mother's perverted act.
Without the swift actions of doctors at Cook Children's Medical Centre – she could have suffered from heart failure, a stroke or even death.
And that was just the tip of the iceberg of the horrendous abuse Phillips had put her daughter through in her short life.
Phillips had insisted that Alyssa had to be in leg restraints for medical reasons.
She also said she needed to be fed by a tube as she choked if she ate solid food.
The little girl was emaciated and her growth stunted.
Several family members had been so concerned that they'd filed reports with the CPS in Fort Worth, Texas, but no action was taken.
Distant family members Bill and Laura Waybourn had been suspicious ever since they'd seen Alyssa at a family party a few months before.
4
They'd heard Phillips warn everyone that Alyssa couldn't eat anything, if she did, she'd choke.
"We witnessed her eat a piece of cake and she didn't choke at all. She appeared to be very hungry," Waybourn said.
And his wife, a CPS worker "was suspicious".
"She got a close-up look at Alyssa and felt like something wasn't right. But nobody had any idea what was really going on behind the scenes, which was actually torturous," he told The Daily Mail.
It transpires Phillips had Munchhausen by proxy – also known as medical child abuse – where a parent or care giver fakes, exaggerates and even causes illness in their child for the purpose of getting attention or some other benefit.
A later search of her laptop revealed pages and pages of online research into the illnesses and symptoms she then tried to manufacture in her defenceless young daughter.
It also showed her prolific activity on mums' internet forums – where she catalogued Alyssa's many 'illnesses' in a bid for sympathy.
The day that changed everything
In August 2011, a few weeks after that family party, Alyssa was taken to Cook's hospital, where her mother told medics she had dehydration.
This was one of many hospital visits Alyssa had endured by the time she was three, so much so, she had spend much of her life in hospitals, and was worryingly underweight and short for her age.
Despite concerned friends and family filing several reports to CPS over the years, it was this hospital visit that set off alarm bells with medical staff.
During that day, Phillips repeatedly tried to stop Alyssa from eating, claiming she would choke, despite medical staff observing otherwise. She was aggressive and rude, and she piled blankets on her daughter then claimed she had a fever. She appeared to paint Alyssa's mouth blue and then claimed she was alarmingly cold.
Then, Phillips suddenly demanded blood tests on her daughter.
The blood test results revealed a life-threatening infection that doctors said had to have been caused by the three-year-old being poisoned.
Medics feared Phillips was abusing her child, so moved Alyssa to another room which had surveillance cameras monitoring any activity inside.
Phillips quickly noticed the cameras and was furious. Alyssa, on the other hand, under the watchful eye of a camera, rapidly got better.
So much so, hospital staff alerted the authorities and Alyssa was taken out of Phillips' care and an investigation was launched.
Following a brief period in foster care, the Waybourns took the little girl into their home, later adopting her.
In an interview, Bill Waybourn said they 'saw tremendous improvements immediately' adding: 'She started eating by mouth everything in sight. The doctors were blown away by how well she was doing.'
But over time, the Waybourns noticed trauma manifesting in Alyssa's behaviour.
'She was really protective of her food. If she had a plate of food and got down from the table for a minute and came back and the plate was gone, she would be extremely upset,' Waybourn recalled.
'She also had a funny gait where she would walk on her toes. We had to coach her out of doing that, to walk on her whole foot.'
Alyssa's reaction to medical staff and treatments was also telling.
British cases of Munchausen Syndrome revealed
In August 2016 a woman from south London has been jailed for fraud and child abuse after causing her children to undergo surgery for fictitious medical problems.
Croydon Crown Court heard the mother of six, who cannot be named for legal reasons, persuaded doctors to prescribe copious medication and provide equipment for her children worth more than £145,000, which - as they did not require it - was potentially dangerous for them, the prosecution said.
She also convinced them to perform invasive operations and insert feeding tubes into her son and daughter's stomachs.
Serial killer nurse Beverly Allitt, dubbed the Angel of Death was given 13 life sentences in 1993 for murdering four children, attempting to murder another three and causing grievous bodily harm with intent to further six at Grantham and Kesteven hospital in Lincolnshire.
The former nurse was diagnosed as suffering from Munchausen syndrome by proxy (MSbP) when she carried out the attacks between 1991 and 1993.
In January 2010, Lisa Hayden-Johnson was sentenced to three years and three months in prison after pleading guilty to charges of child cruelty and perverting the course of justice – in one of the most notable examples of Munchausens by proxy.
Hayden-Johnson began her deceitful actions shortly after the birth of her son Matthew in 2001. Claiming he was afflicted with numerous severe health issues, including cerebral palsy, cystic fibrosis, diabetes, and severe food allergies, she subjected him to unnecessary medical procedures and interventions. These included the use of a wheelchair, feeding tubes, and numerous hospital visits, totalling over 325 medical encounters.
'If you took her to a doctor or a paediatrician - even for something small like an earache - she would just totally freeze up,' he said.
'Those were all things we saw in the beginning. That went on for a long time.'
Waybourn says a 'big fear' for him and Laura was that Phillips would try to regain custody of Alyssa.
Terrifyingly she was allowed to visit at the beginning – up until the time Alyssa developed a rash after her mother had given her new toys.
The Waybourns were sure she had put a substance on them to cause it. After that she wasn't allowed to see her.
Over the years Alyssa has told her adopted parents some of what she endured.
She confided that her mother used to pull her feeding tube in and out.
She also coached her to choke in the doctor's surgery.
In 2015, aged seven, she testified against her mother in court.
Cuddling a teddy bear, she raised her T-shirt to reveal the physical evidence of her mother's torture – a scar on her stomach from unnecessary surgery to insert the feeding tube.
Mental scarring
No one will ever know the extent of the mental scarring.
Despite her mother's actions though, Alyssa, who's now 17, is flourishing.
'Alyssa is not a victim,' Waybourn says. 'She is a thriving little woman and I couldn't be more proud of her.'
Phillips' original court case was declared a mistrial. But soon after, in exchange for a five-year prison sentence, Phillips pleaded guilty to serious bodily injury to a child.
In April 2022, a couple of years after she was released from prison, Phillips was found dead from an apparent overdose.
According to Waybourn, Alyssa was initially teary. She went for some time alone in her room, and then when she came out she said: 'I'm free, free at last.'
Finally she knew that her mother could never hurt her again.
Alyssa's story is told in a book by Andrea Dunlop and Mike Weber entitled The Mother Next Door: Medicine, Deception and Munchausen by Proxy.
Mike Weber, a now-retired Tarrant County investigator worked on Phillips' case.
4
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Telegraph
23 minutes ago
- Telegraph
The seven-minute home workout that doesn't require any fancy kit
Can you get fit in seven minutes a day? As a mother of two with a busy job and an ingrained aversion to working out, I would love to believe it. I coasted through my twenties and thirties avoiding exercise. Now 44, I'm increasingly aware of the impact of my sedentary lifestyle on bone density and muscle mass – and how important those things are going to become as I get older. Could this seven-minute workout, with no specialist equipment required, only a chair and a wall (or in my case, chair and a tree), be my saviour? I came across the impressive-sounding 'exercise physiologist' Chris Jordan on my trawl for a workout that wouldn't completely floor me. Unlike other workouts which promise results, but never seem that convincing (and look terrifying), I was drawn to this one, as it seemed to have some decent science behind. Studies have shown noticeable cardiovascular and strength benefits which can be achieved with just seven minutes, assuming you're pushing yourself hard in that time. Plus the only bit of kit you need was a pair of trainers. Jordan devised the seven-minute workout over 10 years ago, at the Human Performance Institute in Orlando with the results published in the American College of Sports Medicine's Health & Fitness Journal. It soon become a phenomenon across the world introducing millions, who lacked time, but sought a fitness boost, to the benefits of brief bursts of exercise – and routines have been modelled on it ever since. The enticing subhead alone drew me in: 'Maximum Results With Minimal Investment'. Comprising 12 exercises, the idea is to do 30 seconds of each, with five seconds to move between exercises, totalling seven minutes. I turn to a local expert to put me through my paces. 'The exercises are familiar but the problem is they're often done incorrectly,' says Laura Wilson, specialist musculoskeletal physiotherapist and director of The Swiss Touch clinic. 'The key is to slow down, and pay close attention to your alignment. If you do this religiously you'll notice improvement in muscle strength, bone density, posture and balance.' Personal trainer Louisa Drake agrees, but adds that the order of the exercises is also important, as it allows each muscle group to rest while another is worked. 'It's a great example of using your own bodyweight to do a full-body workout, promising effective fitness 'in your pyjamas'' she says. But, of course, when it comes to the reality of actually focussing on these exercises as intensely as the experts suggest, it's not that simple. I quickly discover when I try the routine out (in my pyjamas); exercises like jumping jacks and running on the spot don't work for me without a proper sports bra. Not only that, but reading the small print of the study suggests that optimum results are achieved by doing three rounds of the workout, totalling 21 minutes – admittedly still not a huge time commitment, but quite different to the seven-minute headline. The trouble is, she explains, people often give up when a seemingly-easy routine doesn't work for them. 'Someone with dodgy knees shouldn't feel defeated because they can't do jumping jacks,' she says. 'And someone managing hormonal fluctuations needs modifications, not a rigid prescription.' Drake argues that the pros (accessibility, convenience, very little time needed) outweigh any cons. 'If it all starts with seven minutes in your living room, then brilliant.' Plus all the exercises can be adapted to suit different needs and dodgy knees. For me, getting out for a run, or to a class, often feels impossible to fit in, whereas seven minutes in my living room – or garden – is always doable. First thing in the morning is an excellent start to the day; certainly better than seven minutes spent doom-scrolling with my cup of tea. Here are the 12 exercises, with expert support on how to get the most out of them – plus variations to make them easier. 1. Jumping Jacks 'An excellent cardiovascular exercise, engaging multiple muscle groups while rapidly elevating heart rate,' says Drake. 'The high-impact nature of it can stress joints, and is particularly problematic for women with pelvic floor issues. In these cases, a step-touch version (step one foot out, bring it back, repeat on other side) provides similar cardiovascular benefits with significantly less impact and bouncing.' 2. Wall Sit Wilson says this deceptively simple exercise is good for building strength in your thighs and glutes, while challenging your postural control. 'Have your knees at roughly 90 degrees, keeping your back straight and your weight in your heels,' she says. 'Once you've got the hang of it, you can add a small ball between your knees to activate your inner quadricep muscles; a great exercise for knee pain.' 3. Push-ups 'It's a brilliant compound exercise simultaneously targeting chest, shoulders, triceps and core, but it can be problematic for anyone with wrist issues, lymphoedema concerns or limited upper body strength,' says Drake. 'A good starting point is wall push-ups (hands against wall, lean in and push back), moving onto incline push-ups using a chair or bench. If wrist-loading is tolerable, try modified knee push-ups.' 4. Abdominal Crunches 'I see this performed incorrectly all the time,' says Drake. 'It's also problematic for many women, particularly post-pregnancy, as they can worsen diastasis recti (abdominal separation).' If you don't have these issues, then Wilson says the key is to move from the rib cage, rather than pulling on your neck. 'Keep your chin slightly tucked, and imagine peeling each vertebra off the floor one at a time.' If you're struggling, come up only very slightly, or support your head. Drake prefers dead bugs, where you lie on your back with arms and legs raised, then slowly lower opposite arm and leg. 5. Step-ups 'These mimic real-life movements like climbing stairs, so are excellent for building functional strength and stability,' says Wilson. 'Step up with control, pressing through the front heel and keeping your hips level. Avoid using momentum or pushing off the back leg. You can make them easier by lowering the step height, or harder by holding dumbbells and slowing down the movement.' 6. Squats A classic for a reason, squats are a fabulous functional exercise. 'They strengthen the hips, thighs and core,' says Wilson. 'Start by thinking of sitting back into a chair; keep your chest lifted, knees tracking over the toes, and spine neutral. Avoid collapsing your chest or letting your knees drop inward.' If you're a beginner, use a chair behind you, and just touch it lightly with your bum before standing up again. More advanced? Make it harder by holding a weight, or adding a band around your knees. 7. Triceps Dips 'These are great for targeting the backs of the arms,' says Wilson, which is music to my bingo wings. 'But they can be tough on the shoulders if not done carefully. Keep your chest open, shoulder blades back and down, and elbows pointing straight behind you, not out to the sides. Move within a comfortable range and avoid sinking too low.' You can make them easier by bending your knees and keeping your feet close; or make them harder by straightening your legs or slowing the tempo. 8. Plank Another one that looks easy, but needs attention to detail to be effective. 'Planks strengthen the shoulders, glutes, postural muscles and core,' says Wilson. 'The goal is to hold a long line from head to heels without dropping your hips or arching your lower back. Keep your belly gently drawn in, glutes engaged, and shoulders strong.' 9. High Knees This one is easily adaptable; you can run on the spot, or march, to reduce the impact on your joints. 'Whether you're running or marching, this combines cardio with core activation in one powerful movement,' says Wilson. 'Stay tall and avoid leaning back or collapsing through your middle. Drive the knees up with energy and use your arms to help create rhythm. To increase intensity, focus on speed and lift while keeping movement crisp and light.' 10. Lunges 'This unilateral exercise builds leg strength while challenging balance and coordination,' says Drake. 'At first, you could hold onto a wall or chair for balance support, and start with stationary lunges before progressing to walking lunges.' 11. Push-up & Rotation 'It builds upper body strength while also training the core and improving spinal mobility,' says Wilson. 'The key is to rotate from the upper back, not the lower spine, and keep the hips steady. You can modify it by performing the push-up from your knees, or reducing the rotation if balance is tricky.' 12. Side Plank 'This one targets the often-neglected lateral core muscles, which are crucial for spine stability,' says Drake. 'If you need a modification, try lying on your side with knees bent – it's much easier. And side-lying leg lifts target similar muscles, if the plank position just isn't happening for you.' My verdict As a way of getting back into exercise, if you haven't done it regularly for ages, this is a brilliant way to start. Even by doing just seven minutes I noticed they were easier to do by the end of the week. Some of my favourite moves include the jumping jacks (especially the step-touch version, a saviour for the pelvic floor) which are fun and easy to do on a sunny day, as are the wall sits, with my garden tree standing in perfectly for the wall. I was dreading the push-ups, having always struggled with upper body strength. I also had a mastectomy with axillary lymph node clearance in 2021 and, since then, have been warned against putting my weight on my wrists, because of lymphoedema (swelling). But luckily, there are lots of modifications like the knee version, which I found a lot easier. I thought a push-up with rotation was the most difficult exercise on this list, but then I realised this one is just a pimped-up push-up. While intimidating at first, it's a highly effective movement. I might swap out the ab crunches for the 'dead bug' movement, as recommended by my trainer. All in all, I can fit these exercises into a quick routine that slots easily into my life – and with no loud, blaring gyms or heavy weights required. I am a convert, sign me up.
Daily Mail
an hour ago
- Daily Mail
Prince Harry's striking claim that his mental health struggles were passed on through 'bad parenting'
He has always been a vocal campaigner on mental health, having grown up under the scrutiny of the media and the Royal Family. But Prince Harry has done even more work on the issue since stepping down as a working royal and relocating to California.
Daily Mail
an hour ago
- Daily Mail
Criminals hired as cops in major Democrat city 'after rogue officer lets them through the net'
Criminals wound up working as officers for the New York City Police Department after the commander overseeing recruitment ignored their checkered past, according to court filings. Up to 31 unfit officers were allowed to serve as cops due to 'unauthorized unilateral actions' by former commanding officer NYPD Inspector Terrell Anderson, the complaint states. The recruits were allowed in despite failing psychological tests and background checks and in multiple cases, criminal records, according to the document. One aspiring officer was even found to have three arrests to their name, but was recruited anyway, the filing states. Offenses included everything from drug use to prostitution, and a number of driving violations, per the New York Post. However they were allowed to serve after being granted admission by Anderson, according to the filings, which state he did not have the authority to keep them on the force. And in a stunning twist, many of the officers remain employed and cannot be sacked after the NYPD Police Benevolent Association filed a restraining order to temporarily halt the city's actions, keeping them on the payroll. 'His actions, therefore, were a nullity,' the city said. Anderson was reassigned following the scandal and is now facing departmental charges, law enforcement sources told the Post. The court filing singled out one rookie cop who was permitted into the NYPD academy, despite having never been employed in any capacity before. That cop, who was not named, was found to have an 'extensive history of poor decision-making and recklessness', but was allowed to serve anyway by Anderson, the filings said. That history with the law included multiple driving convictions for speeding at upwards of 50mph over the speed limit, and an arrest for driving with eight suspensions on his license. The officer was also found to have struck a pedestrian with his car on another occasion. A different officer also reported a number of serious driving offenses including involvement in eight car crashes and driving with a suspended license, alongside multiple arrests for marijuana. That officer slipped through the net because he 'exploited his father's status as an NYPD detective in order to circumvent personal responsibility', according to his reported disqualification notice. Another officer who was allowed into the NYPD had 'reported using LSD and marijuana to cope with stress', the filing said. One of the cops was also found to have allegedly paid a stripper for sexual intercourse in 2017, and then the next year paid a female masseuse to masturbate him, the filings said. One female officer failed a psychological examination after she 'openly discussed arguments and conflicts with other people in a boastful manner.' She reportedly told a psychiatrist that 'what you do to me I'm going to do to you twice and I hope you feel worse than the way you made me feel', but was still allowed in per the filing. Anderson was in charge of screening the candidates as the NYPD's chief of Candidate Assessment Division, but was promptly moved to the housing unit when the scandal was discovered in May. He alleged that NYPD top brass pushed him to keep non-qualified officers in the academy. Anderson's defenders have pointed out that NYPD recruitment numbers have struggled in recent years. Chris Monahan, the president of the Captains Endowment Association, the union representing Inspector Anderson, said the inspector was always 'open and above board' in his role. The Daily Mail has contacted the NYPD for comment. Efforts to reach Inspector Anderson were unsuccessful. NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch previously decided to relax some qualifications in the academy earlier this year in an attempt to beef up numbers. NYPD Capt. Chris Monahan, president of the Captain's Endowment Association, told the New York Post that Anderson was. 'under tremendous pressure to fill NYPD recruit classes.' 'He had a careful review process and didn't place candidates with diagnosed mental health issues in many classes,' he said. 'Inspector Anderson had the authority under previous administrations to hire candidates.' Despite some of the cops' lengthy rap sheets, the city's move to fire them was halted after the NYPD Police Benevolent Association filed a restraining order to temporarily halt the city's actions. A judge then granted an extension for 60 days. Explaining the move to defend the officers, NYPD Police Benevolent Association President Patrick Hendry said: 'These are 31 police officers' lives — their livelihood.' (The judge) understands they have families, bills, rent,' he continued. 'They were just told, 'You're not entitled to any process. You're fired, 24 hours. That is wrong. The entire method — how it was done — is wrong. 'They were deemed qualified New York City police officers. They were called back. They completed what they were asked to complete... These police officers were deemed qualified by the NYPD.'
