desflood
06-13-2005, 07:55 AM
Texas takes girl from family in dispute over medical care
State sees a risk of death without radiation; parents say cancer is in remission
The Associated Press
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — State child welfare officials have seized a 12-year-old cancer patient from her parents, whom they accuse of blocking radiation treatment that doctors say she needs.
Michele and Edward Wernecke say that their daughter Katie's cancer, Hodgkin's disease, is in remission and that she doesn't need the radiation treatment so soon after undergoing a round of chemotherapy.
At a court hearing Wednesday, the Werneckes asked juvenile court Judge Carl Lewis to bar doctors from providing radiation therapy until a hearing next week to determine whether Katie will stay in state custody. The judge said he will rule on the request today.
Last week, authorities issued an AMBER Alert to find and take custody of Katie after receiving an anonymous tip about possible neglect. She was found with her mother Saturday at a family ranch near Freer, about 80 miles west of Corpus Christi.
Katie remains at the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston. The state Child Protective Services Division says her life could be in danger without further cancer treatment.
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 Thursday on NBC's Today program, Michele Wernecke said her daughter's illness is unique and should be treated as such.
“I think they should treat her for what her body calls for and not standard protocol. Nobody will look at that,” she said. “Not every cancer is the same. Nobody understands that. Her body is not standard, and her cancer is not standard.”
The couple, members of the Church of God, have said they oppose blood transfusions unless they are from Katie's mother. But the couple's lawyer, Daniel Horne, said religion wasn't at issue in the fight over cancer treatment.
Rather, Horne said, the parents believe that doctors haven't been upfront about Katie's care and have not answered all their questions about the side effects of the radiation.
“This issue is about parental rights, not about religious rights,” Horne said. “They just want to be informed of her treatment. They want to be involved in this.”
Katie was diagnosed with cancer in January. 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.
An agreement was reached Wednesday to let Edward Wernecke and the couple's sons visit Katie today, the day before her 13th birthday.
State sees a risk of death without radiation; parents say cancer is in remission
The Associated Press
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — State child welfare officials have seized a 12-year-old cancer patient from her parents, whom they accuse of blocking radiation treatment that doctors say she needs.
Michele and Edward Wernecke say that their daughter Katie's cancer, Hodgkin's disease, is in remission and that she doesn't need the radiation treatment so soon after undergoing a round of chemotherapy.
At a court hearing Wednesday, the Werneckes asked juvenile court Judge Carl Lewis to bar doctors from providing radiation therapy until a hearing next week to determine whether Katie will stay in state custody. The judge said he will rule on the request today.
Last week, authorities issued an AMBER Alert to find and take custody of Katie after receiving an anonymous tip about possible neglect. She was found with her mother Saturday at a family ranch near Freer, about 80 miles west of Corpus Christi.
Katie remains at the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston. The state Child Protective Services Division says her life could be in danger without further cancer treatment.
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 Thursday on NBC's Today program, Michele Wernecke said her daughter's illness is unique and should be treated as such.
“I think they should treat her for what her body calls for and not standard protocol. Nobody will look at that,” she said. “Not every cancer is the same. Nobody understands that. Her body is not standard, and her cancer is not standard.”
The couple, members of the Church of God, have said they oppose blood transfusions unless they are from Katie's mother. But the couple's lawyer, Daniel Horne, said religion wasn't at issue in the fight over cancer treatment.
Rather, Horne said, the parents believe that doctors haven't been upfront about Katie's care and have not answered all their questions about the side effects of the radiation.
“This issue is about parental rights, not about religious rights,” Horne said. “They just want to be informed of her treatment. They want to be involved in this.”
Katie was diagnosed with cancer in January. 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.
An agreement was reached Wednesday to let Edward Wernecke and the couple's sons visit Katie today, the day before her 13th birthday.