Milos Klvana

Serial Killer

Victims and Fatal Deliveries

• Baby Girl Johnson — December 1982, Valencia area, California: Kathleen Johnson entered labor after previously undergoing two Cesarean deliveries. Klvana attempted a vaginal delivery at his office and administered Pitocin without an infusion pump or electronic fetal monitor. The baby was born on December 24, 1982, and soon developed difficulty eating, seizures and labored breathing. Klvana discouraged hospitalization and recommended sugar water. The infant stopped breathing and was pronounced dead after being transported to a hospital. Medical experts concluded that perinatal asphyxia was the most likely cause.
• Fava fetus — August 25, 1983, Newhall area, California: Joanne Fava experienced a difficult labor at Klvana's office. Although the fetus's heartbeat became extremely faint and Fava repeatedly requested a Cesarean delivery, Klvana did not transfer her to a hospital. He administered medication intended to induce or strengthen labor and later announced that the fetus had died. The stillborn child, weighing approximately six pounds and thirteen ounces, was delivered after family members were directed to push on Fava's abdomen. Klvana later asked Fava not to tell anyone that the delivery had occurred.
• Baby Girl James — October 1983, Newhall, California: Julie James was repeatedly given Pitocin during a prolonged induction without continuous fetal monitoring. During the final stage of labor, Klvana and the baby's father pushed on James's abdomen. The child was born unresponsive and died shortly after delivery. An autopsy identified oxygen deprivation and extensive swelling and bleeding beneath the scalp. Klvana suggested that the family bury the infant in their backyard, avoid telling anyone about the death and take a vacation. James later obtained an $800,000 medical-malpractice judgment against him.
• Ginsberg fetus — January 17, 1984, Southern California: Mira Ginsberg had known Rh incompatibility and other risk factors, yet Klvana failed to arrange appropriate hospital backup or conduct adequate testing. On January 16, he could not detect a fetal heartbeat. The fetus was delivered stillborn the following day. Klvana told the parents he would handle the remains to spare them the expense and emotional distress of an autopsy. Instead, he wrapped the fetus in paper, placed it in a plastic bag and left it in a hallway with the trash.
• Baby Boy Diederick — late January or early February 1984, Temple City and Orange County, California: Lanna Diederick's unborn son was large and in a breech position. After approximately 20 hours of labor, Klvana administered Pitocin rather than arranging the Cesarean delivery the mother had requested. The child was born at 11:00 p.m. on January 30, 1984, weighing nine pounds and two ounces. He was dark blue and had an elongated head. Klvana placed him in a tub of ice water, administered oxygen and then sent the mother and critically ill infant home. The baby stopped breathing several hours later and died after being taken to Children's Hospital of Orange County.
• Baby Boy Ennis — May 26, 1984, Temple City and Los Angeles, California: Kim Ennis gave birth to a boy in heavy meconium at Klvana's Temple City office on May 19, 1984. The infant was blue, congested and suffering from serious respiratory distress. Instead of immediately arranging neonatal transport, the baby was first taken to another physician's office and then to Children's Hospital. He was placed on a respirator but died on May 26. A neonatologist determined that meconium aspiration was the major cause of death and believed that the child may also have suffered a massive intracranial hemorrhage.
• Baby Boy Friel — August 31, 1984, Valencia area, California: Debbi Friel was diabetic, and another physician had warned that her diabetes was poorly controlled. Nevertheless, Klvana performed an office delivery. Her son was born prematurely on August 30, appearing bluish-purple, wheezing and unable to cry or nurse. Klvana claimed that the infant would improve within 24 hours, recommended sugar water and made no referral to a pediatrician. The child stopped breathing overnight and was pronounced dead at Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital. An autopsy attributed the death to perinatal complications associated with prematurity and maternal diabetes.
• Palacios fetus — March 1, 1985, Temple City and Arcadia, California: Arleen Palacios's water broke on February 28, 1985. Klvana administered Pitocin without an infusion pump or electronic fetal monitor. Although she became fully dilated, he stopped the induction, left her overnight at his office and returned home. The following day, Pitocin was resumed, and the fetus's heart rate dropped. Palacios requested a hospital transfer but was told not to identify Klvana as her physician because he was not permitted to practice at the nearest hospital. A stillborn child was delivered at Arcadia Methodist Hospital. The death was attributed to intrauterine asphyxiation caused by inadequate oxygen during labor.
• Baby Girl La Verne — September 15, 1986, Temple City and Pasadena, California: Tosha La Verne experienced a prolonged labor accompanied by thick brown discharge, an indication of meconium. Despite her objection, Pitocin was administered without continuous monitoring. Her daughter was born on September 12 with an unusually flat and elongated head. Klvana declared the infant healthy and delayed outside medical examination. On the morning of September 15, the baby was found blue, cold and unresponsive. She was pronounced dead at Huntington Memorial Hospital in Pasadena. Pathologists concluded that hypoxia associated with the aspiration of meconium and amniotic material caused the death.

An Earlier Uncharged Infant Death

Concealment and Continued Misconduct

Arrest, Trial and Conviction

Sentence and Appeals

Legacy of the Case