Parenting in the News-Sick Children Separated from Parents

This story is about the Connecticut Division of Family Services has taken a 17-year old into custody. The teen wanted to do homeopathic cancer therapy verses Chemo. Her mom supported her daughter's decision. DFS took the daughter into custody and is forcing her to take chemo. In addition her mother is not allowed to see her. As a parent-child advocate I am concerned. This is the fifth story in the last year I have heard of where state divisions for families have stepped into homes and removed children to force them into medical treatment. In this case the mother and daughter had opted to treat the illness without drugs. Please note they did not, not chose to treat the cancer. However, someone in this governmental agency without knowing the family and more than likely the child forced the will of the state onto the mother and child. Having cared for my mother with cancer, I can tell you dealing with this was very taxing for her. Forcing someone into it at the same time removing their support system is cruel!

What many do not understand about these state agencies is once your child is taken into custody it will more than likely be six to twelve months before the parents can get their children back home even if the state took them in error. Compound this with a child who is sick and it  in my mind becomes the state perpetuating a crime against not only the family; but the child. The agency and courts need to work harder to meet their own mandates of being in the best interest of the child. This particular case is obviously not in this child's best interests. What really concerns me is it is happening more and more. It is like certain states believe the children belong to the government and not their individual families. Which is not only dangerous precedent to create. It is damaging to children and their ability to attach and stay attached to the family unit.

http://connecticut.cbslocal.com/2015/01/05/state-forces-connecticut-teen-with-cancer-to-receive-chemotherapy/