A six-year-old boy underwent surgery to remove a growth from his head in Schneider Children’s Hospital in Petach Tikvah. The child’s mother, an American citizen living in the center of the country, objected to chemotherapy and as such she ‘abducted’ him from the hospital to prevent the treatment.
On Monday 12 Kislev 5773, following the intervention of American Consular officials, the woman brought her son back to the hospital escorted by the diplomatic representatives and police. The woman arrived at the American Embassy seeking assistance and consular officials notified Israel Police. The distraught mom explained she does not believe they will save her son and she has contacted other experts, including professionals practicing alternative medicine in her search for what she perceives as proper medical care.
Hospital officials report they realized what occurred on motzei shabbos and police were notified as the law demands. Officials explain the surgery was performed ten days earlier and the child was scheduled to begin chemo on Sunday, 11 Kislev.
Hospital officials are quoted by the daily Yisrael HaYom adding “We hope she will not make off with the child again and that he will receive the required therapy. There is an international protocol for treating his illness.”
Embassy officials declined to respond. Hospital officials explain they cannot respond due to patient confidentiality issues, but did say “all we want is what is best for the child”.
(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
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9 Responses
Just another example of the govt deciding how to treat your child! I’m not saying the mother made the right decision or not, just that the doctor shouldn’t be the ultimate decider! TOVE SHEB’ROFIM L’GEHENOM!
Another alternative medicine wacko parent poor child
To#1: K’Shmo, kein hu…
#1 As if they dont make these same decisions in every American Hospital.
The government is NOT making this decision. Highly qualified medical personnel are reccommending a course of treatment that has been proven to have a degreee of success.
The mother in question should be charged with child abuse.
Of course the government is making the decision. Who else has the power to force someone to do anything? “Highly qualified medical personnel” have no more right than you or I to impose their judgment on someone else. Moose, you are a fascist.
#4, that’s right, they don’t. They have no power to. Only a court can order such a thing, and only after the mother is given due process.
Horrible! A mother can not decline the deadly effects of chemo anymore?! Are children wardens of the state? She should go public and make an international outcry. I would love to help.
didibrook – I am the mother in that article. you can contact me at my email saragubits at hotmail