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Family who refused cancer treatment for teen sues Texas: familyhas filed a federal lawsuit saying their constitutional rights were violated.
Family who refused cancer treatment for teen sues Texas
The Associated Press Published: June 12, 2007 http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/...ody-Battle.php HARLINGEN, Texas: The family taken into custody after refusing medical treatment for their teen's cancer has filed a federal lawsuit saying their constitutional rights were violated. Katie Wernecke was 12 in 2005 when she was diagnosed with Hodgkin's disease, a cancer of the lymph nodes. Her parents refused to allow radiation treatment, arguing chemotherapy already killed the cancer and saying they feared the radiation would do more harm than good. Her doctor contacted Child Protective Services, now the Department of Family and Protective Services. Officials went to Katie's home to remove her from her parents and took her three brothers when she was not there. Nueces County sheriff's officials later took Katie from a family ranch where she was hiding with her mother. Katie remained in foster care until November 2005, when a judge ordered her returned to her family. She has since undergone traditional and nontraditional treatments, including radiation. Family lawyer Charles Bundren on Tuesday declined comment on the lawsuit against state officials and two constables but said Katie, now 15, is doing well and attending school. He would not say whether the cancer was in remission. The lawsuit, filed May 31, claims state and county officials violated the Fourth and 14th amendments of the U.S. Constitution, which protect against unlawful search and seizure and guarantee the right to family privacy. "The right of a family to remain together without the coercive interference of the government is a fundamental right protected," the suit says. It requests unspecified financial damages. Patrick Crimmins, a spokesman for the Department of Family and Protective Services, would not comment on the lawsuit. "I will say that while Katie was in our care, we did everything according to the law and according to what we determined was in her best interest," Crimmins said. Ed Wernecke, Katie's father, did not immediately return a phone call. According to a family Web log, Katie has traveled extensively since 2005 for different treatments, including immunotherapy and an intravenous vitamin C treatment. The cancer was in remission in September but reappeared in multiple spots in December. CURRENTLY CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES VIOLATES MORE CIVIL RIGHTS ON A DAILY BASIS THEN ALL OTHER AGENCIES COMBINED INCLUDING THE NSA / CIA 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... |
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