Erin Moriarty

Melissa's family would make it their mission to clear her name.

Melissa's family would make it their mission to clear her name.

They had no idea how much of a fight they were in for.

They had no idea how much of a fight they were in for.

They had no idea how much of a fight they were in for.

In November 2011, nearly three years after the death of Ben Kingan, Melissa Kowalczynski went on trial for murder. The state argued that Ben was a perfectly healthy toddler leading up to his death. Matthew Demartini and Steven Scheller prosecuted the case.

In November 2011, nearly three years after the death of Ben Kingan, Melissa Kowalczynski went on trial for murder. The state argued that Ben was a perfectly healthy toddler leading up to his death. Matthew Demartini and Steven Scheller prosecuted the case.

In November 2011, nearly three years after the death of Ben Kingan, Melissa Kowalczynski went on trial for murder. The state argued that Ben was a perfectly healthy toddler leading up to his death. Matthew Demartini and Steven Scheller prosecuted the case.

Dr. Choi, the pathologist who conducted the autopsy, testified about that skull fracture he said he had seen and how he believed the child's injury was recent and consistent with having been thrown to the floor by someone. But Melissa's trial attorney, Paul DeLuca, told the jury about a head injury Ben had previously received. It was noticed at the daycare three months earlier.

Dr. Choi, the pathologist who conducted the autopsy, testified about that skull fracture he said he had seen and how he believed the child's injury was recent and consistent with having been thrown to the floor by someone. But Melissa's trial attorney, Paul DeLuca, told the jury about a head injury Ben had previously received. It was noticed at the daycare three months earlier.

Dr. Choi, the pathologist who conducted the autopsy, testified about that skull fracture he said he had seen and how he believed the child's injury was recent and consistent with having been thrown to the floor by someone. But Melissa's trial attorney, Paul DeLuca, told the jury about a head injury Ben had previously received. It was noticed at the daycare three months earlier.

After Ben's death, multiple people, including daycare teacher Nancy Callenger, told investigators about it. But prosecutor Stephen Scheller argued that the earlier injury was insignificant.

After Ben's death, multiple people, including daycare teacher Nancy Callenger, told investigators about it. But prosecutor Stephen Scheller argued that the earlier injury was insignificant.

After Ben's death, multiple people, including daycare teacher Nancy Callenger, told investigators about it. But prosecutor Stephen Scheller argued that the earlier injury was insignificant.

That's not what defense experts said. They noted that after the injury, there were possible signs of head trauma. Medical records show that in the days after the injury, Ben was lethargic and had a persistent fever. And another daycare employee, Holly, who asked that we identify her by her first name only, testified for the defense about the last time she saw Ben.

That's not what defense experts said. They noted that after the injury, there were possible signs of head trauma. Medical records show that in the days after the injury, Ben was lethargic and had a persistent fever. And another daycare employee, Holly, who asked that we identify her by her first name only, testified for the defense about the last time she saw Ben.

That's not what defense experts said. They noted that after the injury, there were possible signs of head trauma. Medical records show that in the days after the injury, Ben was lethargic and had a persistent fever. And another daycare employee, Holly, who asked that we identify her by her first name only, testified for the defense about the last time she saw Ben.

But the defense maintained that Ben's prior injury was so serious that any new impact could have had major consequences. And Ben did have a habit of throwing his head back.

But the defense maintained that Ben's prior injury was so serious that any new impact could have had major consequences. And Ben did have a habit of throwing his head back.

But the defense maintained that Ben's prior injury was so serious that any new impact could have had major consequences. And Ben did have a habit of throwing his head back.