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Thread started 05/20/09 7:21am

shellyevon

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Arrest ordered for Mom of Boy with cancer

Update on the boy with Hodgkins Lymphoma


Arrest ordered for mom of boy, 13, resisting chemo
AP


FILE- In this Friday, May 8, 2009 file photo, Colleen Hauser, left, smiles at AP – FILE- In this Friday, May 8, 2009 file photo, Colleen Hauser, left, smiles at her son Daniel as they …

* Parents object to restarting son's chemo Slideshow:Parents object to restarting son's chemo
* Forced Chemo? Play Video Video:Forced Chemo? FOX News

By AMY FORLITI, Associated Press Writer Amy Forliti, Associated Press Writer – 35 mins ago

NEW ULM, Minn. – Authorities nationwide were on the lookout Wednesday for a mother and her 13-year-old cancer-stricken son who fled after refusing the chemotherapy that doctors say could save the boy's life.

Colleen Hauser and her son, Daniel, who has Hodgkin's lymphoma, apparently left their southern Minnesota home sometime after a doctor's appointment and court-ordered X-ray on Monday showed his tumor had grown.

Brown County District Judge John Rodenberg, who had ruled last week that Daniel's parents were medically neglecting him, issued an arrest warrant Tuesday for Colleen Hauser and ruled her in contempt of court. Rodenberg also ordered that Daniel be placed in foster care and immediately evaluated by a cancer specialist for treatment.

The family belongs to a religious group that believes in "natural" healing methods. Daniel has testified he believed chemotherapy would kill him and told the judge that if anyone tried to force him to take it, "I'd fight it. I'd punch them and I'd kick them."

The boy's father, Anthony Hauser, testified he didn't know where his wife and son were but had made no attempt to find them. He testified he last saw his son Monday morning, and he saw his wife only briefly that evening when she said she was leaving "for a time."

As of Wednesday morning, the mother and son still had not been found, said Carl Rolloff, a sheriff's dispatcher.

Officials distributed the arrest warrant nationwide. Brown County Sheriff Rich Hoffman said Tuesday that investigators were following some leads locally, but declined to elaborate.

"It's absolutely crazy. It's very disappointing," James Olson, the attorney representing Brown County Family Services. "We're trying to do what's right for this young man."

A message left at the Hauser home in Sleepy Eye early Wednesday wasn't immediately returned. But in an interview in Wednesday's editions of the Star Tribune of Minneapolis, Anthony Hauser said he knew places where his wife might have gone though he did not know where she was.

He said he and his wife had a plan for Tuesday's hearing and he was a "bit disappointed" she didn't follow it. "We were going to present a treatment plan to the court. If they didn't go with it, we would appeal it," he told the newspaper.

"I know many people around here who have had cancer, they did the chemo, it would come back," Hauser told the newspaper. "They did the chemo again and again and they are all in the grave. Chemo isn't foolproof."

Daniel's Hodgkin's lymphoma is considered highly curable with chemotherapy and radiation, but the boy quit chemo after a single treatment.

The judge has said Daniel, who has a learning disability and cannot read, did not understand the risks and benefits of chemotherapy and didn't believe he was ill.

The Hausers are Roman Catholic and also believe in the "do no harm" philosophy of the Nemenhah Band, a Missouri-based religious group that believes in natural healing methods advocated by some American Indians. Colleen Hauser testified earlier that she had been treating his cancer with herbal supplements, vitamins, ionized water and other natural alternatives.

The founder of Nemenhah, Philip Cloudpiler Landis, said it was a bad idea for Colleen Hauser to flee with her son.

"She should have gone to court," Landis said. "It's how we work these things out. You don't solve anything by disregarding the order of the judge."

Anthony Hauser now agrees that Daniel needs to be taken back to a doctor for re-evaluation for the best treatment, said Calvin Johnson, an attorney for the parents.

The family's doctor, James Joyce, testified by telephone that he examined Daniel on Monday, and that an X-ray showed his tumor had grown to the size it was when he was first diagnosed.

"He had basically gotten back all the trouble he had in January," the doctor said.

Joyce testified that he offered to make appointments for Daniel with oncologists, but the Hausers declined. He also said he tried to give Daniel more information about lymphoma but the boy, his mother and lawyer Susan Daya left in a rush.

"Under Susan Daya's urging, they indicated they had other places to go," Joyce said.

Daya did not immediately respond to a call Tuesday from The Associated Press. The court also tried to reach her during the hearing, but got no answer.

Daniel's lymphoma was diagnosed in January, and six rounds of chemotherapy were recommended.

Minnesota statutes require parents to provide necessary medical care for a child, Rodenberg wrote. The statutes say alternative and complementary health care methods aren't enough.
"Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind"-Dr Seuss

Pain is something to carry, like a radio...You should stand up for your right to feel your pain- Jim Morrison
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Reply #1 posted 05/20/09 10:15am

emm

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this all sounds so familiar sad
I had a big disagreement with my employer at the time as she also feared chemo.
In looking for an article to post I found one that said when the boy
was in Mexico getting alternative therapy the tumor broke through his
skin. The father believed that it being a demon, breaking through
meant it was getting ready to leave his body. neutral

In November 1998, a 13-year-old Tyrell Dueck was diagnosed with
osteosarcoma (osteogenic sarcoma). Physicians told the Saskatchewan boy
treatment would include chemotherapy and probable amputation of his leg.

Tyrell's parents, Tim and Yvonne Dueck, refused to allow their son
to undergo conventional treatments.
Tyrell's parents wanted to seek
alternative therapies in an American Biologics clinic in Tijuana, Mexico instead.

The issue went to court twice within the next few months and both times
Tyrell was ordered to undergo conventional chemotherapy treatments
immediately. Tyrell died in July 1999 after a battle fought against the medical
community, social services, court systems and his cancer.

From the beginning, Tyrell's father Tim asked clinic staff not to question
Tyrell but to direct any comments or questions to Tim as a spokesperson
for the family, said the clinic staff.


It was one of only a few times when such a directive has been given to
Saskatoon cancer clinic staff. ''There was never any direct dialogue with
Tyrell,'' said clinic social worker Debbie Arsenault. Tyrell would look to
his father to answer all questions, she said.

''Even when we did speak to him with his parents, he could never get a word
in,'' said Dr. Mpofu.

Each time clinic staff tried to discuss the treatment plan with the Duecks,
the Duecks turned the conversation toward alternative therapies rather
than the conventional chemotherapy, clinicians have said.

Dr. Mpofu said he offered to make arrangements for them to seek a second
opinion at another Canadian or American facility but the offer was
declined.

Clinic staff said they always talk with patients and families about
treatment options, potential side-effects and outcomes as well as their
reporting obligations in cases involving children.

''It's our duty to identify our concerns to the social services department
and then it is the social service department's responsibility to decide
what they are going to do about it,'' said Dr. Mpofu.

Tyrell underwent two courses of chemotherapy after the initial December
1998 court order by Justice M. Wright forced him into treatment against
his parents' wishes.

When Tyrell told Dr. Mpofu in late February 1999 he did not want further
treatment, the matter went to court again to determine if he could make
that decision himself.

Justice Allison Rothery ruled Tyrell was not a mature minor. She said
Tyrell's father was providing inaccurate information which could harm the
child and that Tyrell was not only incapable of making a decision against
his father's wishes but incapable of comprehending the consequences of any
decision.

She ordered him to continue with conventional treatment without his parents
being present. The cancer clinic succeeded in having the order amended so
his parents could be present but not allowed to interfere with treatment.

Some reports suggested Dr. Mpofu asked Tyrell if he wanted to continue
treatments after the December court ruling, but Dr. Mpofu said those
reports were in-accurate. ''Tyrell himself never objected to the
treatment. It was always his parents,''
said Dr. Mpofu. ''I didn't raise
the issue.''

''When they came on the visit, he told me that he no longer wanted
treatment--not because I asked him the question--but because he had been
prompted by his father. His father reminded him that he had something to
tell me.''



unedited version
doveShe couldn't stop crying 'cause she knew he was gone to stay dove
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Reply #2 posted 05/20/09 10:18am

SupaFunkyOrgan
grinderSexy

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I hope this woman ends up in jail.
2010: Healing the Wounds of the Past.... http://prince.org/msg/8/325740
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Reply #3 posted 05/20/09 11:23am

peacenlovealwa
ys

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SupaFunkyOrgangrinderSexy said:

I hope this woman ends up in jail.

why? It's her child...she's not really abusing him....
unlucky7 reincarnated
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Reply #4 posted 05/20/09 11:24am

SupaFunkyOrgan
grinderSexy

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peacenlovealways said:

SupaFunkyOrgangrinderSexy said:

I hope this woman ends up in jail.

why? It's her child...she's not really abusing him....

she's killing him. And for religious delusions no less disbelief
2010: Healing the Wounds of the Past.... http://prince.org/msg/8/325740
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Reply #5 posted 05/20/09 11:25am

JustErin

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peacenlovealways said:

SupaFunkyOrgangrinderSexy said:

I hope this woman ends up in jail.

why? It's her child...she's not really abusing him....


Ya, I'm not exactly sure what side of the fence I sit on in regards to this.
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Reply #6 posted 05/20/09 11:26am

JustErin

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SupaFunkyOrgangrinderSexy said:

peacenlovealways said:


why? It's her child...she's not really abusing him....

she's killing him. And for religious delusions no less disbelief


No, she's not. She may be preventing him from getting better....but then again, she may be preventing him from going through even more pain - for nothing.
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Reply #7 posted 05/20/09 11:29am

Mach

JustErin said:

SupaFunkyOrgangrinderSexy said:


she's killing him. And for religious delusions no less disbelief


No, she's not. She may be preventing him from getting better....but then again, she may be preventing him from going through even more pain - for nothing.


nod agreed
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Reply #8 posted 05/20/09 11:31am

SupaFunkyOrgan
grinderSexy

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JustErin said:

SupaFunkyOrgangrinderSexy said:


she's killing him. And for religious delusions no less disbelief


No, she's not. She may be preventing him from getting better....but then again, she may be preventing him from going through even more pain - for nothing.

We don't know if it's for nothing. She won't even let them try. I don't believe in treatment for nothing but she is wreckless and the religion issue pushes me against parental rights in this case.
2010: Healing the Wounds of the Past.... http://prince.org/msg/8/325740
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Reply #9 posted 05/20/09 11:31am

peacenlovealwa
ys

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JustErin said:

peacenlovealways said:


why? It's her child...she's not really abusing him....


Ya, I'm not exactly sure what side of the fence I sit on in regards to this.

same here...I'm not sure...if the child broke a bone in his body and he was in pain and she prevented him from seeing a doctor then...she should be arrested.
unlucky7 reincarnated
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Reply #10 posted 05/20/09 11:33am

peacenlovealwa
ys

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SupaFunkyOrgangrinderSexy said:

JustErin said:



No, she's not. She may be preventing him from getting better....but then again, she may be preventing him from going through even more pain - for nothing.

We don't know if it's for nothing. She won't even let them try. I don't believe in treatment for nothing but she is wreckless and the religion issue pushes me against parental rights in this case.

well, I'm not religious, but I think it's ok for people to have religious beliefs as long as it's not hurting anyone. ex. marrying of a child. I guess if the kid starts feeling horrible pain and he wants to go to the doctor he should go.
unlucky7 reincarnated
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Reply #11 posted 05/20/09 11:36am

JustErin

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SupaFunkyOrgangrinderSexy said:

JustErin said:



No, she's not. She may be preventing him from getting better....but then again, she may be preventing him from going through even more pain - for nothing.

We don't know if it's for nothing. She won't even let them try. I don't believe in treatment for nothing but she is wreckless and the religion issue pushes me against parental rights in this case.



Well, you know how I feel about religion and religious based decisions, but I'm still not totally sure how to feel about this situation.
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Reply #12 posted 05/20/09 11:44am

emm

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the boy does not understand that he is sick
the boy believes chemotherapy will kill him

how is she not harming him? she's lying to him about his own health and very likely his cure.
doveShe couldn't stop crying 'cause she knew he was gone to stay dove
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Reply #13 posted 05/20/09 11:48am

SupaFunkyOrgan
grinderSexy

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JustErin said:

SupaFunkyOrgangrinderSexy said:


We don't know if it's for nothing. She won't even let them try. I don't believe in treatment for nothing but she is wreckless and the religion issue pushes me against parental rights in this case.



Well, you know how I feel about religion and religious based decisions, but I'm still not totally sure how to feel about this situation.

OK, the concept of preventing him from going through more pain is not lost on me. My grandmother has cancer, the tumor has gone from golf ball to grapefruit sized. She is in pain and dying. She said she did not want surgery or chemotherapy. My initial and gut reaction was to plead with her to try but she is an 85 year old woman who does not want to experince the pain and suffering that comes with surgery/chemo. She was a nurse so she knows what patients go through. I respect her individual and adult decision.

This is a child who in all likelyhood won't have the same beliefs later on in life. I grew up religious and believe radically different than when I was his age. Did you grow up religous? If so, you too have changed. That is the point of my argument.

.
[Edited 5/20/09 11:53am]
2010: Healing the Wounds of the Past.... http://prince.org/msg/8/325740
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Reply #14 posted 05/20/09 12:11pm

DesireeNevermi
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scratch that- i missed the part about him being mentally challenged. And with that...the parents really do have more right to decide what's best for him.

I think the religion thing is at center. If the boy's parents were not into "prayer" healing would they or rather she still be arrested? If they simply thought the chemo did more harm and good and was not a cure and therefore not a viable treatment would they still be put in jail?

Im not defending her particularly but rather the concept of imprisoning parents because they believe in an alternative form of treatment when their child is severely ill. We all have to be reasonable about this of course but it doesn't seem like the boy's best interests are served here. Why are they so quick to arrest her? If she was simply beating the kid, he'd probably be dead before they elected to lock her up. Doctors do not always get it right and do not always know best. You can do chemotherapy and still die from cancer. Certain cancers are very aggressive and do not respond to chemo. I hear chemo is very painful. Putting him in foster care away from those he knows and loves is not going to help his cancer one bit.
[Edited 5/20/09 12:14pm]
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Reply #15 posted 05/20/09 12:14pm

SupaFunkyOrgan
grinderSexy

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DesireeNevermind said:

scratch that- i missed the part about him being mentally challenged. And with that...the parents really do have more right to decide what's best for him.

I think the religion thing is at center. If the boy's parents were not into "prayer" healing would they or rather she still be arrested? If they simply thought the chemo did more harm and good and was not a cure and therefore not a viable treatment would they still be put in jail?

Im not defending her particularly but rather the concept of imprisoning parents because they believe in an alternative form of treatment when their child is severely ill. We all have to be reasonable about this of course but it doesn't seem like the boy's best interests are served here. Why are they so quick to arrest her? If she was simply beating the kid, he'd probably be dead before they elected to lock her up. Doctors do not always get it right and do not always know best. You can do chemotherapy and still die from cancer. Certain cancers are very aggressive and do not respond to chemo. I hear chemo is very painful. Putting him in foster care away from those he knows and loves is not going to help his cancer one bit.
[Edited 5/20/09 12:14pm]


They are quick to arrest her because she did not show up to court. All of us are subject to jail time when we do this.

If He's mentally challenged (I missed this) then why is anybody arguing on behalf of his own will? The mentally challenged aren't given free reign to do whatever they want.

.
[Edited 5/20/09 12:18pm]
2010: Healing the Wounds of the Past.... http://prince.org/msg/8/325740
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Reply #16 posted 05/20/09 12:15pm

peacenlovealwa
ys

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DesireeNevermind said:

scratch that- i missed the part about him being mentally challenged. And with that...the parents really do have more right to decide what's best for him.

I think the religion thing is at center. If the boy's parents were not into "prayer" healing would they or rather she still be arrested? If they simply thought the chemo did more harm and good and was not a cure and therefore not a viable treatment would they still be put in jail?

Im not defending her particularly but rather the concept of imprisoning parents because they believe in an alternative form of treatment when their child is severely ill. We all have to be reasonable about this of course but it doesn't seem like the boy's best interests are served here. Why are they so quick to arrest her? If she was simply beating the kid, he'd probably be dead before they elected to lock her up. Doctors do not always get it right and do not always know best. You can do chemotherapy and still die from cancer. Certain cancers are very aggressive and do not respond to chemo. I hear chemo is very painful. Putting him in foster care away from those he knows and loves is not going to help his cancer one bit.
[Edited 5/20/09 12:14pm]

I agree.
unlucky7 reincarnated
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Reply #17 posted 05/20/09 3:58pm

wildgoldenhone
y

peacenlovealways said:

DesireeNevermind said:

scratch that- i missed the part about him being mentally challenged. And with that...the parents really do have more right to decide what's best for him.

I think the religion thing is at center. If the boy's parents were not into "prayer" healing would they or rather she still be arrested? If they simply thought the chemo did more harm and good and was not a cure and therefore not a viable treatment would they still be put in jail?

Im not defending her particularly but rather the concept of imprisoning parents because they believe in an alternative form of treatment when their child is severely ill. We all have to be reasonable about this of course but it doesn't seem like the boy's best interests are served here. Why are they so quick to arrest her? If she was simply beating the kid, he'd probably be dead before they elected to lock her up. Doctors do not always get it right and do not always know best. You can do chemotherapy and still die from cancer. Certain cancers are very aggressive and do not respond to chemo. I hear chemo is very painful. Putting him in foster care away from those he knows and loves is not going to help his cancer one bit.
[Edited 5/20/09 12:14pm]

I agree.

Ditto.
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Reply #18 posted 05/20/09 6:39pm

shellyevon

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The religion thing might be at the core of the parents behavior but it sounds like the court was willing to look at the alternative treatment and found it lacking in this case.

I think the parents should be held responsible for contempt of court and child endangerment. I don't know if there should be jail time though.
The chemo was working, it is a very curable cancer. the parents have put him in jeopardy by their actions.
It's hard circumstances, you know? the parents obviously love the child to risk this, but they should abide by the court's decision. Parents do not own their children like a dog or a house.They have the obligation to give him the best treatment possible.

The boy should be placed in foster care until his treatments are complete, with supervised visits for the parents IMO.
"Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind"-Dr Seuss

Pain is something to carry, like a radio...You should stand up for your right to feel your pain- Jim Morrison
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Reply #19 posted 05/20/09 9:48pm

StillGotIt

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this is such a terrible situation. I know others who have lost children to cancer...and wondered if they made the best decision. I personally would have done the chemo....but I know it doesn't always work.....sometimes it just makes the little bit of time left a lot more uncomfortable....that he is mentally challenged can possibly make it even harder. I dont know the extent of his mental aiblities but I wonder how do you explain to somebody with limited abilities that you have to bring them somewhere to make them feel horrible so they will get better? The newspapers make it seem so simple...but sometimes it isn't....
Going to church doesn’t make you a Christian, any more than standing in a garage makes you a car.
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Reply #20 posted 05/20/09 10:59pm

DesireeNevermi
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i went back and read it again. the boy died! that is so sad. that poor family. sad
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Reply #21 posted 05/21/09 1:46pm

SupaFunkyOrgan
grinderSexy

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DesireeNevermind said:

i went back and read it again. the boy died! that is so sad. that poor family. sad

what? Where did you read this? They were spotted in California yesterday!
2010: Healing the Wounds of the Past.... http://prince.org/msg/8/325740
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Reply #22 posted 05/21/09 3:34pm

DesireeNevermi
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SupaFunkyOrgangrinderSexy said:

DesireeNevermind said:

i went back and read it again. the boy died! that is so sad. that poor family. sad

what? Where did you read this? They were spotted in California yesterday!



my bad boxed not that hauser boy...the dueck boy from '98. i hadn't read the whole post from the beginning and missed that he indeed died.
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Reply #23 posted 05/21/09 3:44pm

SupaFunkyOrgan
grinderSexy

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The authorities are saying they will drop the arrest warrant if the mom returns. I hope she does.
2010: Healing the Wounds of the Past.... http://prince.org/msg/8/325740
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Reply #24 posted 05/21/09 3:48pm

DesireeNevermi
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SupaFunkyOrgangrinderSexy said:

The authorities are saying they will drop the arrest warrant if the mom returns. I hope she does.



she needs to. she is a fugitive. such a mess. disbelief
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Reply #25 posted 05/21/09 5:59pm

shellyevon

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I hope she does too.
This particular cancer is 95% curable, but I think time is of the essence.
"Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind"-Dr Seuss

Pain is something to carry, like a radio...You should stand up for your right to feel your pain- Jim Morrison
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