State takes custody of child after parents refuse radiation treatment

**Saulbadguy** · 06-10-2005, 03:15 PM

http://www.newsday.com/news/health/n...alth-headlines

Clash over girl's cancer
Texas couple, saying ill daughter doesn't need or want radiation, protest state officials' taking custody of her

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

June 10, 2005

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas - Child welfare officials took a 12-year-old cancer patient from her parents' custody, accusing them of blocking her radiation treatment.

During a court hearing Wednesday, Michele and Edward Wernecke asked juvenile court Judge Carl Lewis to bar doctors from providing radiation therapy for daughter Katie, who is now in a Houston hospital, until a hearing next week to determine whether she will stay in state custody.

They say their daughter's cancer is in remission and they object to the radiation following a round of chemotherapy. Katie was diagnosed with Hodgkins disease, a cancer of the lymph system, in January.

A Driscoll Children's Hospital pediatric oncologist quoted in the Corpus Christi Caller-Times said standard protocol for children in advanced stages is to complete chemotherapy and radiation therapy, with blood transfusions, and that halting such treatment increases the risk of death.

The judge said he would rule on the parents' request today.

Last week, authorities gained temporary custody of Katie after receiving an anonymous tip. She was found with her mother at a family ranch, about 80 miles west of Corpus Christi, on Saturday.

She remains at the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, where she is undergoing tests, officials said.

Michele Wernecke was arrested on charges of interfering with child custody and was released Monday after posting $50,000 bond. The Werneckes' three sons were placed in a foster home.

Speaking yesterday on NBC's "Today" show, Michele Wernecke said her daughter's illness is unique. "I think they should treat her for what her body calls for and not standard protocol. Nobody will look at that," she said.

The couple, members of the Church of God, have said they oppose blood transfusions unless they were from Katie's mother. But the couple's attorney, Daniel Horne, said religion wasn't at issue in the fight. Rather, they say doctors have not answered questions about radiation side effects. "This issue is about parental rights, not about religious rights," Horne said. "They just want to be informed of her treatment."

In a videotaped statement recorded by her parents, Katie said she's feeling better. "I don't need radiation treatment. And nobody asked me what I wanted. It's my body," she said.

teedubya · 06-10-2005, 03:33 PM

You will damn well do what the government says.

Duck Dog · 06-10-2005, 03:44 PM

Both sides are idiots. The government for obvious reasons and the parents for pretending they know more than their daughters doctors.

Pants · 06-10-2005, 03:49 PM

One word: Texas.

Amnorix · 06-10-2005, 03:55 PM

I'm torn on these kinds of issues. I dislike the state interfering on matters of personal choice, including health care. OTOH, I think that if you had enough medical evidence that the choices for the kid are (1) unbelievably high probability of death, or (2) reasonable chance of survival using a widely accepted/approved medical treatment, that maybe the state should be allowed to come in and take over.

Here in Massachusetts, a long time ago the district attorney brought an action against parents who refused to bring their kid to the doctor, who eventually died, as the parents were engaged in "faith healing". Very tough issues raised here.

Mr. Laz · 06-10-2005, 04:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ali Chi3fs

You will damn well do what the government says.

rights ... we don't need no stinkin' rights

Brock · 06-10-2005, 08:11 PM

The parents are idiots who don't deserve a child.

Frazod · 06-10-2005, 08:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brock

The parents are idiots who don't deserve a child.

Perhaps. But how do you know the doctor in question simply doesn't need a new Lexus?

Brock · 06-10-2005, 08:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by frazod

Perhaps. But how do you know the doctor in question simply doesn't need a new Lexus?

Why didn't the parents seek a second opinion? They probably did, and probably got the same damn advice.

Mecca · 06-10-2005, 09:20 PM

I saw something about this on tv. A Texas health official said the girl had been examined by 4 doctors and all said she needed to undergo the radiation. The parents refuse to accept that, that's what she needs.

whoman69 · 06-10-2005, 09:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brock

Why didn't the parents seek a second opinion? They probably did, and probably got the same damn advice.

That would be the heart of the matter there.

C-Mac · 06-10-2005, 10:41 PM

Well she did take her to the doctor, so thats not an issue.
Her religious beliefs do not interfear with treatment, so thats not a issue.
She obviously loves and cares for her daughter, so thats not an issue.
Daughter says she feels better and also desires no more treatments, so thats not an issue.
Doctors admit that the cancer is in remission, so thats not a issue.

The doctor's opinion is that she needs more treatment, well thats fine until a patient's rights to choose treatment is abused. The government stepping in and breaking that family apart is far worse than the refusal of treatment. They absolutely cannot prove that with the treatments she will not get cancer back nor can they prove that she will die if she dont.
You know it's OK to risk the life of a son or daughter by sending them off to fight in a war that they believe is right, but its not OK to to risk the life of a son or daughter when choosing a treatmment that they believe is right.

Its a stinking double standard!

Brock · 06-10-2005, 10:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by C-Mac

You know it's OK to risk the life of a son or daughter by sending them off to fight in a war that they believe is right, but its not OK to to risk the life of a son or daughter when choosing a treatmment that they believe is right.

Its a stinking double standard!

That's a stupid analogy.

C-Mac · 06-10-2005, 10:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brock

That's a stupid analogy.

Sure it is.....

Brock · 06-10-2005, 11:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by C-Mac

Sure it is.....

...because we send truckloads of 12 year olds into battle.

06-10-2005, 03:15 PM
Saulbadguy When a nightmare becomes real Join Date: Nov 2003 Casino cash: $2226966	State takes custody of child after parents refuse radiation treatment http://www.newsday.com/news/health/n...alth-headlines Clash over girl's cancer Texas couple, saying ill daughter doesn't need or want radiation, protest state officials' taking custody of her THE ASSOCIATED PRESS June 10, 2005 CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas - Child welfare officials took a 12-year-old cancer patient from her parents' custody, accusing them of blocking her radiation treatment. During a court hearing Wednesday, Michele and Edward Wernecke asked juvenile court Judge Carl Lewis to bar doctors from providing radiation therapy for daughter Katie, who is now in a Houston hospital, until a hearing next week to determine whether she will stay in state custody. They say their daughter's cancer is in remission and they object to the radiation following a round of chemotherapy. Katie was diagnosed with Hodgkins disease, a cancer of the lymph system, in January. A Driscoll Children's Hospital pediatric oncologist quoted in the Corpus Christi Caller-Times said standard protocol for children in advanced stages is to complete chemotherapy and radiation therapy, with blood transfusions, and that halting such treatment increases the risk of death. The judge said he would rule on the parents' request today. Last week, authorities gained temporary custody of Katie after receiving an anonymous tip. She was found with her mother at a family ranch, about 80 miles west of Corpus Christi, on Saturday. She remains at the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, where she is undergoing tests, officials said. Michele Wernecke was arrested on charges of interfering with child custody and was released Monday after posting $50,000 bond. The Werneckes' three sons were placed in a foster home. Speaking yesterday on NBC's "Today" show, Michele Wernecke said her daughter's illness is unique. "I think they should treat her for what her body calls for and not standard protocol. Nobody will look at that," she said. The couple, members of the Church of God, have said they oppose blood transfusions unless they were from Katie's mother. But the couple's attorney, Daniel Horne, said religion wasn't at issue in the fight. Rather, they say doctors have not answered questions about radiation side effects. "This issue is about parental rights, not about religious rights," Horne said. "They just want to be informed of her treatment." In a videotaped statement recorded by her parents, Katie said she's feeling better. "I don't need radiation treatment. And nobody asked me what I wanted. It's my body," she said.
Posts: 46,971

06-10-2005, 03:33 PM	#2
teedubya Most Valuable Poster Join Date: Oct 2003 Casino cash: $9460002	You will damn well do what the government says.
Posts: 36,664

06-10-2005, 03:44 PM	#3
Duck Dog Reap the whirlwind Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Olathe Casino cash: $10004900	Both sides are idiots. The government for obvious reasons and the parents for pretending they know more than their daughters doctors.
Posts: 8,902

06-10-2005, 03:49 PM	#4
Pants Time Keeps On Slipping Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Overland Park Casino cash: $5469900	One word: Texas. __________________ "Turn the channel to 26!"
Posts: 27,294

06-10-2005, 03:55 PM	#5
Amnorix In BB I trust Join Date: May 2003 Location: Boston, Mass. Casino cash: $10029808	I'm torn on these kinds of issues. I dislike the state interfering on matters of personal choice, including health care. OTOH, I think that if you had enough medical evidence that the choices for the kid are (1) unbelievably high probability of death, or (2) reasonable chance of survival using a widely accepted/approved medical treatment, that maybe the state should be allowed to come in and take over. Here in Massachusetts, a long time ago the district attorney brought an action against parents who refused to bring their kid to the doctor, who eventually died, as the parents were engaged in "faith healing". Very tough issues raised here. __________________ "I love signature blocks on the Internet. I get to put whatever the hell I want in quotes, pick a pretend author, and bang, it's like he really said it." George Washington
Posts: 43,125

06-10-2005, 08:11 PM	#7
Brock Say hello to my little friend Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Larryville Casino cash: $9598422	The parents are idiots who don't deserve a child.
Posts: 47,314

06-10-2005, 09:20 PM	#10
Mecca Hockey Town Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Kansas City, Missouri Casino cash: $2197050	I saw something about this on tv. A Texas health official said the girl had been examined by 4 doctors and all said she needed to undergo the radiation. The parents refuse to accept that, that's what she needs.
Posts: 111,215

06-10-2005, 10:41 PM	#12
C-Mac Lurker Extraordinaire Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Wally World Casino cash: $1953699	Well she did take her to the doctor, so thats not an issue. Her religious beliefs do not interfear with treatment, so thats not a issue. She obviously loves and cares for her daughter, so thats not an issue. Daughter says she feels better and also desires no more treatments, so thats not an issue. Doctors admit that the cancer is in remission, so thats not a issue. The doctor's opinion is that she needs more treatment, well thats fine until a patient's rights to choose treatment is abused. The government stepping in and breaking that family apart is far worse than the refusal of treatment. They absolutely cannot prove that with the treatments she will not get cancer back nor can they prove that she will die if she dont. You know it's OK to risk the life of a son or daughter by sending them off to fight in a war that they believe is right, but its not OK to to risk the life of a son or daughter when choosing a treatmment that they believe is right. Its a stinking double standard!
Posts: 5,637