Fifteen-year-old Marissa M. Ikeler died from an epileptic seizure in January, according to her paternal grandmother, who contends the Wyoming County teenager’s parents were faithful in making sure she took her medicines.
Lynnette Kemp says she is certain because she repeatedly stressed to her granddaughter, diagnosed with epilepsy as an infant, the importance of taking her medications, and that the teen assured her she was.
“Marissa and I were very close. We had impressed upon her that she could not ride her horse unless she took her medications. She could not have seizures and be on her horse. We were not going to put her in danger. She had no problem with that because she loved the horse. The horse was her world,” Kemp said Friday.
Jeremy P. Ikeler and Astrid Ikeler, Marissa’s parents, were indicted earlier this week on charges of criminally negligent homicide for allegedly failing to provide their daughter with her medication and proper care.
