DCF will take son to chemo appointments if mother won't: Mother"I feel they're going to kill him before they even help him."

DCF will take son to chemo appointments if mother won't

By MOLLY MOORHEAD
Published May 16, 2007

http://www.sptimes.com/2007/05/16/Pa..._son_to_.shtml


DADE CITY - Natasha Esteras says she is complying - although not
voluntarily - with a court order to get chemotherapy treatment for her
10-year-old son. The state says the mother is resisting.

Last month, Circuit Judge Linda Babb ordered Esteras to take her son
Daniel Gomez for chemotherapy and radiation treatments - preventive
measures to keep a fast-growing cancer from returning. Daniel's test
results say he is cancer-free since a tumor was removed from his
testicles in February, according to his mother.

In an emergency hearing Monday, Assistant State Attorney Leslie Layne
said Esteras has rescheduled and shown up late for nearly all of
Daniel's appointments at All Children's Hospital in St. Petersburg.

"The child's not receiving the weekly treatments on time, " Layne said.
"This is harming Daniel."

A pediatric oncologist testified that the rate of survival of
rhabdomyosarcoma would be 70 to 75 percent if the chemotherapy is
administered at the same time each week. And every three weeks, Daniel
must stay one or two nights in the hospital for treatment.

In all, the doctor said, he needs 42 weeks of treatment. Further, the
state wants Daniel to see a therapist to help with the mental effects of
cancer treatments, and to have a state agency take him to his
appointments if his mother can't.

Esteras, 26, sat through the hearing just as angry as ever. She has
resisted the treatments for Daniel because she believes they aren't
necessary - and are potentially harmful. After bringing him home from a
two-day hospital stay this weekend, she is even more convinced.

"It's been 48 hours and he still hasn't eaten, " Esteras told the judge.

Babb gave a little to both sides. She sympathized with Esteras having to
watch her son endure the effects of the medicine.

"Chemotherapy will sometimes do that for you, but it will also sometimes
save your life, " she said.

She said the Department of Children and Families will take Daniel to his
appointments - on time - if Esteras doesn't, but the mother can go, too.

Babb also said his therapy should be moved to St. Joseph's Hospital in
Tampa when possible, to make it more convenient for the Lutz family.

After the hearing, Esteras spoke in the lobby, next to her live-in
boyfriend and their 14-month-old son.

"I think these people are just trying to ruin our life, as if they
haven't done enough already, " she said. "I feel they're going to kill
him before they even help him."

Molly Moorhead can be reached at 352 521-6521 or .




CURRENTLY CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES VIOLATES MORE CIVIL RIGHTS ON A
DAILY BASIS THEN ALL OTHER AGENCIES COMBINED INCLUDING THE NATIONAL
SECURITY AGENCY/CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY WIRETAPPING PROGRAM....

CPS Does not protect children...
It is sickening how many children are subject to abuse, neglect and even
killed at the hands of Child Protective Services.

every parent should read this .pdf from
connecticut dcf watch...

http://www.connecticutdcfwatch.com/8x11.pdf

http://www.connecticutdcfwatch.com

Number of Cases per 100,000 children in the US
These numbers come from The National Center on
Child Abuse and Neglect in Washington. (NCCAN)
Recent numbers have increased significantly for CPS

*Perpetrators of Maltreatment*

Physical Abuse CPS 160, Parents 59
Sexual Abuse CPS 112, Parents 13
Neglect CPS 410, Parents 241
Medical Neglect CPS 14 Parents 12
Fatalities CPS 6.4, Parents 1.5

Imagine that, 6.4 children die at the hands of the very agencies that
are supposed to protect them and only 1.5 at the hands of parents per
100,000 children. CPS perpetrates more abuse, neglect, and sexual abuse
and kills more children then parents in the United States. If the
citizens of this country hold CPS to the same standards that they hold
parents too. No judge should ever put another child in the hands of ANY
government agency because CPS nationwide is guilty of more harm and
death than any human being combined. CPS nationwide is guilty of more
human rights violations and deaths of children then the homes from which
they were removed. When are the judges going to wake up and see that
they are sending children to their death and a life of abuse when
children are removed from safe homes based on the mere opinion of a
bunch of social workers.

BE SURE TO FIND OUT WHERE YOUR CANDIDATES STANDS ON THE ISSUE OF
REFORMING OR ABOLISHING CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES ("MAKE YOUR CANDIDATES
TAKE A STAND ON THIS ISSUE.") THEN REMEMBER TO VOTE ACCORDINGLY IF THEY
ARE "FAMILY UNFRIENDLY" IN THE NEXT ELECTION...