Yates Kids Fought to Live
H O U S T O N, July 13, 2001 -- Bruises indicate that four of Andrea Yates' fivechildren struggled as they were drowned, likely hitting the sidesor bottom of the family bathtub, according to autopsy resultsreleased today.
The reports from the Harris County Medical Examiner's Officedetail the conditions of the children, ages 6 months to 7 years.All were found dead at their Houston home June 20.
Their 37-year-old mother allegedly confessed to the slayings andhas been charged with capital murder.
Because of a court-imposed gag order on all involved in the caselocally, Harris County officials could not comment on the reports.
Bruises, Cuts Found on Four Boys
Travis County Chief Medical Examiner Roberto Bayardo, who is notunder a gag order, reviewed the reports at the request of TheAssociated Press. Austin is the seat of Travis County.
"This baby didn't put up much of a struggle, but the other ones— they did," Bayardo said of 6-month-old Mary and her fourbrothers.
The autopsy reports say each of the children died by "asphyxiadue to drowning." All the deaths are listed as homicides.
A cut on 3-year-old Paul's lip indicates he most likely hit hismouth on the side of the tub, and bruises on 2-year-old Lukeindicate he was being held down by a wrist, Bayardo concluded.
Many bruises on 5-year-old John were fresh. The child's handswere wrinkled, suggesting he was in the water between 15 and 30minutes.
Noah, 7, had a fresh scrape on his nose with the majority of hisbruising on his legs, arms and near his hip bone.
"That is an indication of a struggle … banging his legs andarms against the bathtub," Bayardo said.
Police say Andrea Yates confessed to killing her children afterthey arrived at her home. The four youngest children were found weton a bed under a sheet. Noah's body was in the tub.
Yates' husband, Russell, has said his wife suffered frompostpartum depression, which was worsened by the death of herfather in March. He hired an attorney for his wife and has publiclysupported her.