Abuse report filed for Terri Schiavo (Judicial Watch and Klayman Jump In)

World Net Daily ^ | Oct. 18, 2003 1AM | None ID's

[litany_of_lies]

Abuse report filed for Terri Schiavo
Judicial Watch says it now has given Jeb Bush premise to intervene

Posted: October 18, 2003
1:00 a.m. Eastern

© 2003 WorldNetDaily.com

The Washington, D.C., watchdog group Judicial Watch filed an abuse complaint it says will allow Florida Gov. Jeb Bush to intervene on behalf of Terri Schindler-Schiavo, the brain-disabled woman who is starving under a court order initiated by her husband.

Judicial Watch President Thomas Fitton faxed a "Form to Report Abuse/Abandonment/Neglect/Exploitation" with the Florida Department of Children and Families yesterday then sent a letter to Bush and DCF Secretary Jerry Regier.

The letter said, "Based on our formal complaint via the faxed report referenced above, you have the authority and sufficient cause to immediately order the Florida Department of Children and Family Services to intervene on behalf of Ms. Schiavo; to restore her nutrition; and to initiate a full investigation of the circumstances surrounding Ms. Schiavo’s disability."

Fitton said these actions are in accord with the U.S. Constitution, the Florida Constitution, Article 2, Section 5, and Florida statutes 825.102 and 782.04(2)(i), 77.04.

The abuse report, under "Description of Incident," says:

Thirteen years ago Terri Schiavo suffered brain damage from a sudden collapse. She receives her food and water by means of a feeding tube. Terri's other bodily functions are stable. She responds to voices, and is capable of smiling, laughing and crying. She vocalizes well.

Terri's husband, Michael Schiavo, has denied her any rehabilitation treatment since 1993. On Wednesday, October 1, 2003, Michael Schiavo directed that Terri's feeding tube be disconnected, subjecting her to starvation and dehydration that will result in an anguishing death in approximately 10 to 14 days.

Judicial Watch is known for its many lawsuits against President Clinton's administration. But the group, led by Larry Klayman, also has taken on the current White House, including a lawsuit to force the release of information about Vice President Dick Cheney's energy task force.

Klayman recently declared he will run for a U.S. Senate seat from Florida.

Legal documents and information on Terri's case are posted on the family's website.

Previous stories

Desperate parents plead to Jeb Bush
Lawyers: Bush can step in for Schiavo
Starvation begins for Terri Schiavo
Husband protests video showing alert Terri
Terri Schiavo wants to live
No intervention for Schiavo
Joni Eareckson Tada joins vigil for Terri Schiavo
Hearing today on woman scheduled to starve
Prayer vigil for Terri Schiavo
Bush steps in for Schindler-Schiavo
Florida AG intervenes in Schiavo lawsuit
Order signed for starvation of disabled woman
Disabled woman wins reprieve
Another 9-11 date with death
Federal judge considers Schiavo case
Federal Court grants emergency hearing in Schiavo case
Attorney: Jeb Bush letter only a 'good first step'
Gov. Bush's plea for Schindler-Schiavo rejected
Jeb Bush intervenes for Schindler-Schiavo
Legal setbacks clear way for Schiavo starvation
Schindler-Schiavo on 'death row'
Husband bars priest from brain-damaged wife
Brain-damaged woman hospitalized
Fight for life bombshell: Terri trying to talk
Petition drive launched for Terri Schiavo
Commentary: 'Murder is legal if we say so'

[deannadurbin]

>>Is he still staying away from his house?

He'd better. :)

[Saundra Duffy]

She's being murdered by morphine as we type. Soon it will be too late. At least we know where she's going.

[litany_of_lies]

Michael Schiavo has been an in-your-face, you-can't-stop-me, "nyah, nyah, nyah-nyah nyah" guy for 13 years. Why should he stop now?

[litany_of_lies]

Agree on Katherine Harris.

[Theodore R.]

He is a large, imposing man. Apparently, like Bill Clinton, he has quite a way with the ladies. I have often wondered why women are attracted to low-lifes like that. Maybe they think that they can reform him.

[Polybius]

Judicial Watch and Klayman Jump In

Well, that settles it. Might as well start planning the memorial services.

[WFTR]

Actually, the timing could be good. If Judge Greer is on the golf course all weekend, anyone who intervened might have two full days to remove Ms. Schindler-Shiavo from the hospice and get her some good treatment. It's time to let the other side feel helpless and concerned about the timing for a change.

WFTR
Bill

[Chad Fairbanks]

It's the "Mother" instinct, I think. Here's a "Bad Boy" who just needs a little love to turn him around.

It doesn't work on Evil, however.

[litany_of_lies]

You are an optimist, I'll give you that.

[litany_of_lies]

JW PRESS RELEASE

Oct 17, 2003
Contact: Press Office
202-646-5172


GOV. BUSH HAS AUTHORITY TO STOP DEATH OF TERRI SCHIAVO BY DEHYDRATION & STARVATION

Judge Ordering Terri Schiavo’s Death Violated Eighth Amendment (“Cruel and Unusual Punishment”) & Florida’s Abuse and Neglect Statutes

Gov. Bush Should Direct Florida’s Dept. of Children and Family Services to Intervene, Resume Nutrition & Investigate
(Washington, DC) Judicial Watch, the public interest group that investigates and prosecutes government corruption, stated today that Florida Governor Jeb Bush has the authority to prevent the death by starvation and dehydration of Ms. Terri Schiavo.

Unless rapid action is taken by Governor Bush, Ms. Schiavo will die of dehydration; a slow, grueling death taking approximately two weeks. This form of death entails less blood flow to major organs – the brain, kidneys, heart, lungs and skin. The kidneys stop functioning and the body cannot expel its waste. As Ms. Sciavo grows weaker, her breathing will become more difficult, taking in less oxygen and expelling less carbon dioxide. U.S. law forbids animals to die this way. The U.S. Department of Agriculture regulations (9 C.F.R. ' 2.131) specifically prohibits the withholding of food and water from farm animals.

Pinellas County Circuit Court Judge George Greer’s ruling to remove Ms. Schiavo’s feeding tube is the most liberal applications to date of a person’s constitutional right to refuse medical treatment. Judge Greer did what judges in other landmark cases did not do – ordering the end of life in opposition to a majority of the patient’s family members.

“Ms. Schiavo is being subjected to a cruel and inhumane form of torture that violates her fundamental rights and human dignity, under both federal and Florida state law. Governor Bush must immediately order the Florida Department of Children and Family Services to intervene on behalf of Ms. Schiavo, restore her nutrition and initiate a full investigation of the circumstances surrounding Ms. Schiavo’s disability. Terri Schiavo’s life is in Jeb Bush’s hands,” stated Judicial Watch President Tom Fitton.

To view a copy of the complaint filed with the Florida Department of Children and Families, click here.

To view a copy of the cover letter sent to Governor Jeb Bush along with the complaint, click here.

[litany_of_lies]

LETTER TO JEB

October 17, 2003

BY FEDEX & FAX ( 850-487-0801 / 850-922-2993)

The Honorable Jeb Bush                       
Governor                           
State of Florida                
400 S. Monroe St.                                
The Capitol                                          
Tallahassee, FL  32399-0001                 

Mr. Jerry Regier
Secretary
Florida Department of Children and Families
1317 Winewood Blvd.
Building 1, Room 202
Tallahassee, FL  32399-0700

Re:  Ms. Terri Schiavo

Dear Governor Bush and Secretary Regier:

            Judicial Watch Inc. (“Judicial Watch”) was established in 1994 to serve as an ethical and legal watchdog over our government, legal, and judicial systems to promote a return to ethics and morality in our nation's public life.  Judicial Watch operates in the public interest as a non-partisan, non-profit public interest group.

            Attached is a copy of a “Fax Transmittal Form to Report Abuse / Abandonment / Neglect / Exploitation” that we filed concerning Ms. Schiavo with the Florida Department of Children and Families at 12:58 PM today on the department’s “Fax Hotline” (800-914-0004).

            Based on our formal complaint via the faxed report referenced above, you have the authority and sufficient cause to immediately order the Florida Department of Children and Family Services to intervene on behalf of Ms. Schiavo; to restore her nutrition; and to initiate a full investigation of the circumstances surrounding Ms. Schiavo’s disability.  These actions are consistent with Ms. Schiavo’s protections under the U.S. Constitution, the Florida Constitution (Art. 2, ' 5), as well as Fla. Stat. ' 825.102 and Fla. Stat. '' 782.04(2)(i), 77.04.

            Your immediate attention to this important matter is appreciated.

Sincerely,

JUDICIAL WATCH, INC.

Thomas Fitton
President
Encl.

[ALOHA RONNIE]

...Looks like tomorrow's...

...Judicial Watch Report Radio Show...

...is gonna be a doozie..?

[litany_of_lies]

To view a copy of the complaint filed with the Florida Department of Children and Families, click here.
(PDF FILE)

*****

It would be nice if anyone who knows how to post the PDF iwthin a posting comment could do so.

[Dave S]

And they called the California Recall a circus. The presence of Klayman moves this from sad situation to farce. Klayman stay home and sue your mother again.

[WFTR]

I'm not really an optimist. I just think that if the governor is going to stretch his authority to do the right thing, it might be more effective on the weekend when the usual bureaucracies won't be functioning as well as they would during the week. I don't really see a happy ending anymore.

[litany_of_lies]

Maybe, just maybe, Jeb can step in on a Saturday when DCF isn't working an assume their authority (hoping).

[Brandon]

"You know a case is hopeless the minute Klayman gets involved."

Truer words were never spoken. When that ambulance chaser gets involved in a case, you know the end is near. Watch for urgent fundraising appeals from Judicial Watch, coming soon to an email box near you.

[Aracelis]

There ARE things worse than death you idiots and may all you Pollyanna Rat do-gooders find this out the hard way.

Your rant belies your FR moniker. I would suggest that if you want to suffer a similar fate to Terri's that you make your Living Will state that withholding food and fluids is your preferred way to die.

Terri made no such Living Will. According to what I've heard and read, Terri has not been living in pain and displays signs of pleasure during visits from her parents. This being the case, and with ample funds available for her care, she should be allowed to live until the Lord decides to call her home. Anything less infringes upon her rights as an American citizen.

She is not chattle...she is a human being and deserves the mercy and compassion of her fellows.

And I would remind you, that it is the tendancy of Democrats and Liberals to decide what is best for others...not Republicans or Libertarians. Casting such a slur against those of us on this forum that care about Terri's temporal fate only reveals your true character.

[tessalu]

There should be a new law that states that if a spouse give up on it's mate, that the spouse should lose guardianship.
This so called 'husband" is a joke. He even has 2 children by another woman, and that alone should be reason enough to dismiss this guardian, who wants to impose a death sentence on the one that he married, so she can marry another. God see fit to intervene in the life of Terri, for as long as there is life, there is hope.