Therapist Testifies in Young Patient’s ‘Rebirth’ Death

A therapist accused in the death of a 10-year-old during a session that was supposed to simulate the girl’s “rebirth” testified Monday that she was trying to “bring out the rage” of the victim.

Connell Watkins and fellow psychotherapist Julie Ponder, 40, are charged with reckless child abuse resulting in the death of Candace Newmaker. Candace died of asphyxiation after the session last April.

Watkins said she learned of “holding” therapy, in which a patient is physically held, in the mid-1970s when she was doing social work with foster children.

“I establish that I am in control and that I am the boss at that time,” Watkins said. “That will bring out the rage they have repressed.”

Defense lawyers say Candace’s death was a tragic accident. The girl was wrapped in a flannel sheet to simulate a womb as adults pushed against her with pillows for 70 minutes. She was urged to emerge reborn to bond with her adoptive mother, Jeane Newmaker of Durham, N.C.

On a videotape of the session, Candace can be heard screaming that she couldn’t breathe.