Posted on 06/29/2006 8:58:12 AM PDT by Sopater
The case of a mother who took her 9-month-old child on the lam, frantically searching for alternative therapies as state and medical authorities demanded kidney surgery for the boy, unfolded before the public last week like a high-drama television show. But at bottom, it pitted the rights of a mother and father against the power of the state.
Baby Riley
While rare, such disputes typically involve parents who decline treatment for their children based on religious beliefs. Tina Carlsen has now refocused those questions. The issue is not opposing treatment but whether a parent may look beyond traditional medicine for help.
In the middle sits her ailing child, and legal experts say precedent holds that a judge's decision on the boy's best interests will determine whether he and others in like situations remain with their parents or become wards of the state.
Tina Carlsen
Initially, the storyline seemed clear: Carlsen ignored a court order and secreted her baby out of Children's Hospital and Regional Medical Center last week, even though child-welfare officials, concerned about medical neglect, had won custody of the boy. His mother, a 34-year-old homemaker, now faces up to a year in prison if convicted on second-degree kidnapping charges.
But the picture soon became murkier. Legal rulings hold that only in a medical emergency may the state override parents' health care wishes -- and physicians acknowledge that Riley was in no immediate danger of dying.
(Excerpt) Read more at seattlepi.nwsource.com ...
A lot of pediatricians are leftist thugs.
It looks as though the authorities overstated their case. Here is the official Amber Alert notice:
New AMBER AlertIncident Information:Seattle, WA
Last seen on Thursday, June 22nd at 5:55AM
Incident Summary: Tina Carlsen abducted her nine month old son Riley Rogers in Child Protective custody from Children's Hospital in Seattle where he was scheduled to have surgery. He needs immediate medical attention. Have child taken immediately to a hospital.
Victim Information:Victim 1RILEY ROGERS, White Male, 9 Months Old, 1 feet 6 inches tall, 14lbs., Blonde hair, .
Additional information: CURLY HAIR
Clothing description: WHITE T-SHIRT DIAPER
Suspect Information:Suspect 1TINA CARLSEN WHITE Female 35 years old, 5 feet 2 inches tall, 140 lbs., BLONDE hair, .
Additional information: PONY TAIL Stocky AKA Tina Marie Chiu
Clothing description: T-shirt BLUE JEANS
Vehicle Information:Vehicle 1Green 1994 Plymouth Voyager Station Wagon WASHINGTON lic. # Plate number: 270SVS. Description:
Contact Information:Anyone with information is asked to call 911 immediately. You can also call the Seattle Police Department at 206-625-5011or visit http://www.washingtonamberalert.com/
Recommended Text Page Message for Internal Broadcast:New AMBER Alert RILEY ROGERS in Seattle WA WASHINGTON plate number: 270SVS More @ washingtonamberalert.comRecommended Voice Message:Seattle Police Department is looking for RILEY ROGERS.
The event occured at 4800 Sand Point Way NE, Seattle WA on Thursday, June 22nd at 5:55AM.
Tina Carlsen abducted her nine month old son Riley Rogers in Child Protective custody from Children's Hospital in Seattle where he was scheduled to have surgery. He needs immediate medical attention. Have child taken immediately to a hospital.
Victim 1, RILEY ROGERS is described as being a 9 month old White male, Blonde hair, 1'6". 14lbs CURLY HAIR Wearing: WHITE T-SHIRT DIAPER
Suspect 1, TINA CARLSEN. is described as being a 35 year old female, WHITE with BLONDE hair, Weighing (Aprox): 140lbs.
PONY TAIL Stocky AKA Tina Marie Chiu
Wearing: T-shirt BLUE JEANS
Vehicle 1, Green 1994 Plymouth Voyager Station Wagon WASHINGTON license plate. Plate number 270SVS. Vehicle description:
If you have any information on this incident, please call 911 or contact the Seattle Police Department at 206-625-5011.
For additional information about the victim(s), suspect(s) or vehicle(s) visit http://www.washingtonamberalert.com/
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