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Either this bizarre Berks County case is a gross instance of alleged child abuse -- or it is a baffling medical mystery. The answer may hold the key to whether a Pennsylvania mom gets her two young boys back.The mother, Jessica Battiato, is pictured with her first son, Caesar, taken by county officials several months ago with multiple bone fractures.

(screen shot/family photo)

Either this bizarre Berks County case is a gross instance of alleged child abuse -- or it is a baffling medical mystery. The answer may hold the key to whether a Pennsylvania mom gets her two young boys back.

6ABC in Philly reports that a second child has been taken from his mother. The woman, Jessica Battiato, is fighting back against Berks County Children and Youth for custody of both of her children.

According to 6ABC, Battiato's first child was taken two months ago after the 1-year-old boy was found to have 20 fractures across his body. The mom claims the injuries were caused by a rare genetic disorder.

The disorder, called Ehlers Danlos Syndrome and coupled with a lack of Vitamin D, could cause fragile bones and mimic child abuse, the mother and her doctor claim, 6ABC notes in its detailed report.

But as the battle to regain her first son, Caesar, was ongoing, Battiato had a second child in late April, allegedly in secret.

In an interview with Battiato, she tells 6ABC she gave birth in Lancaster County -- out of the watchful eye of the Berks County authorities. The second baby was taken by Berks County Children and Youth official only after Battiato applied for state aid for then-seven-month-old Julius.

Since then, hospital records show that Julius has a fracture on his right tibia, which Berks County apparently believes is child abuse, according to 6ABC.

Berks County Children and Youth officials tell 6ABC they are legally barred from commenting on the case.

Meanwhile, the mother is vowing to keep up the fight for both of her children, buoyed by the expert opinions of her doctor, Dr. Michael Holick at Boston University. 6ABC identifies him as a specialist who diagnosed both Battiato and her first child with EDS and Vitamin D insufficiency -- and who adds it's likely Julius has the condition as well.

"I wouldn't hesitate to have the children returned to the parents," Holick told 6ABC.