Posted on 03/10/2005 12:22:56 PM PST by amdgmary
TAMPA, Fla. (AP) -- A judge ruled Thursday that the state's social services agency cannot delay the removal of the feeding tube keeping brain-damaged Terri Schiavo alive.
The Department of Children & Families had asked for a 60-day delay in the removal of the feeding tube, now scheduled March 18. The agency said it wanted time to investigate allegations of abuse and neglect by the woman's husband, Michael Schiavo.
But Circuit Judge George W. Greer ruled that the agency's attempt to get involved at this point was inappropriate and "appears to be brought for the purpose of circumventing the court's final judgment ... in violation of the separation of powers doctrine."
Michael Schiavo's attorney had criticized the last-minute attempt by DCF to get involved, saying that it was engineered by Gov. Jeb Bush and others in the state government who support the plight of her parents who are trying to keep her alive.
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Michael Schiavo has gotten a court order to remove the feeding tube, contending that his wife told him she wouldn't want to be kept alive artificially. A 1990 heart attack cut off oxygen to her brain for five minutes, leaving her in what the court has ruled is a vegetative state with no consciousness. She breathes on her own but depends on a tube in her abdomen for food and water.
But her parents doubt she had those end-of-life wishes and are trying to block removal of the feeding tube.
The judge's ruling was another major blow to Bob and Mary Schindler, who have fought their son-in-law in court for nearly seven years over their daughter's fate. They dispute that she is in a persistent vegetative state, saying she laughs, cries, interacts with them and tries to speak when they visit her at her hospice.
The DCF said it wanted to investigate accusations against Miachel Schiavo - who is her legal guaridan - that included denying his wife some medical treatment and therapy, isolating her in her room with the blinds closed, failing to fix her broken wheelchair and failing to file timely guardianship plans.
In his order, Greer noted that those and many other allegations have been investigated in the past and failed to yield any evidence of abuse and neglect by Michael Schiavo.
Other than trying to appeal judge's decisions that have gone against them this week, the Schindlers will look again to the state Legislature and perhaps the U.S. Congress for help. Both bodies have bills in the works that lawmakers say could save Terri Schiavo's life.
In Tallahassee Wednesday, a House committee approved a bill requiring doctors to provide nutrition and hydration to incapacitated patients who didn't leave an advance directive. It still needs approval from two more committees before facing the full House.
Bush, who has said he would do anything within his power to save Terri Schiavo, supports the bill.
The governor in October 2003 pushed a law through the Legislature authorizing him to resume the woman's artificial feedings six days after the court stopped them. The law subsequently was ruled unconstitutional by the state Supreme Court.
On Tuesday, U.S. Rep. Dave Weldon and U.S. Sen. Mel Martinez, both Florida Republicans, introduced legislation in Washington that could give the Schindlers access to federal courts in the effort to save their daughter's life. Their bill requires that incapacitated people who don't leave advance directives have attorneys appointed to give the case a full review before artificial life support is terminated.
No idea what you are talking about.
LOL
Reflexive, remove food and water immediately!
Have you seen the other side of the coin?
Have you seen a giraffe?
I must admit, when I saw your screen name in this thread in particular, I had to linger for awhile to read the responses!
It has been entertaining--for example, not just cerebro-spinal fluid, but the exact measurement in cc's!
Ignore that worthless son-of-a-bitch and his asinine ruling!
No, it's not. I'm am interested in learning more. and I don't want to resort to name-calling, etc.
Are MRI's and CAT scan the test requested by the family? What about actual 'therapy' type of tests?
Testing for PVS with MRI's is like trying to test IQ on paper. IQ is tested in other ways.
WHY was she dehydrated??? What kind of care is she receiving in that nursing home??? Poor woman!
AMAZING HOW MUCH YOU LEFT OUT!
I saw that site...
You a friend of Felos or Bill Keller???
I am not religious, and more hard headed and non sentimental than most when it comes to pulling the plug. I admit that. But this case has certain troubling aspects, including the fact that third parties are willing to finance the victims more natural final exit. For me, that counts, in the absence of a living will.
Are you being obtuse?
Because if you're not trying to you're doing a damn good job of it.
Michael Schiavo has a conflict of interest. Florida law says he should be removed as Terri's guardian.
But don't take my word for it, go read the statutes.
Preach on!
God bless your grandmother.
IT IS HORRIBLE!
They are doing a LOUSY job there.
And my uncle thinks there is no reason not to send her back there if she pulls through this...
AMAZING!
My mom is taking it very hard...
she feels responsible because she lives here in GA and they are in PA and she thought they could do a better job of taking care of her since she was so far away.
She feels terrible...
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