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Briana Byers, 25, of Lancaster, "had been inventing symptoms and exaggerating normal behavior which led to significant over-hospitalization and medical treatment of her child," City police stated in the release.
The police first learned of this possible Munchausen syndrome by proxy case by a Childline report in May 2023.
An investigation was launched by the Special Investigations Unit. Authorities learned that the mother "insisted" her infant would "be connected to unnecessary medical devices and even attempted to have them wear orthotic ankle support devices, disregarding the potential harm it could cause to the child’s development," according to the police.
The police did say numerous medical professionals advised against Byers' actions, but it remains unclear how the surgery and hospitalizations were approved.
Byers was arrested without incident on July 6, 2023, and no longer has custody of her children, according to the police.
She has been charged with Aggravated Assault to a Child Less Than 6 Years of Age, Recklessly Endangering Another Person, and Endangering the Welfare of Children, the police say and court records confirm.
Byers has been held in the Lancaster County Prison after failing to post $50,000 in bail, according to her court docket. Her preliminary hearing has been set before Magisterial District Judge Adam J. Witkonis at 1:30 p.m. on July 13.
This is the third possible case of Munchausen syndrome by proxy that Daily Voice has reported on in Central Pennsylvania and the second that happened in Lancaster County, all in less than two years. You can read about the Enola case here and the Cumberland County case here.
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