Judge rules family can't refuse chemo for boy

So who knows better how to care for your child's health, you or your government?

By AMY FORLITI, Associated Press Writer Amy Forliti, Associated Press Writer – 45 mins ago


MINNEAPOLIS – A Minnesota judge has ruled that a 13-year-old boy with a highly treatable form of cancer must seek conventional medical treatment over his parents' objections.

In a 58-page ruling Friday, Brown County District Judge John Rodenberg found that Daniel Hauser has been "medically neglected" and is in need of child protection services.

Rodenberg said Daniel will stay in the custody of his parents, but Colleen and Anthony Hauser have until May 19 to get an updated chest X-ray for their son and select an oncologist.

The judge wrote that Daniel has only a "rudimentary understanding at best of the risks and benefits of chemotherapy. ... he does not believe he is ill currently. The fact is that he is very ill currently."

Daniel's court-appointed attorney, Philip Elbert, called the decision unfortunate.

"I feel it's a blow to families," he said. "It marginalizes the decisions that parents face every day in regard to their children's medical care. It really affirms the role that big government is better at making our decisions for us."

Source links: 

 http://www.startribune.com/the-daniel-hauser-case/45440392/

http://www.citypages.com/news/anthony-hauser-father-of-boy-who-refused-chemo-dies-at-56-6538061

https://www.buzzfeed.com/stephaniemcneal/connecticut-teen-with-cancer-forced-to-undergo-chemotherapy?utm_term=.tn6rE2Xar#.pk0pw53np