DCF: Terri Schiavo Not Abused, Exploited

ABC/AP ^ | 4.16.05

[ambrose]

DCF: Terri Schiavo Not Abused, Exploited

State Agency: Terri Schiavo Was Not Abused or Exploited by Either Side of Her Family

By VICKIE CHACHERE

The Associated Press

Apr. 16, 2005 - State investigators found no evidence that Terri Schiavo had been abused or exploited by either side of her family, according to documents released by Florida's Department of Children and Families.

The agency investigated 89 complaints dating back to 2001, when Schiavo's feeding tube was removed for the first time and the legal battle surrounding her right-to-die case intensified.

The calls alleged that the brain-damaged woman was being mistreated by her husband and her parents for financial gain. One complaint alleged that Schiavo's parents were selling videos of her through a Web site; another said Schiavo's husband wasn't spending money intended for her rehabilitation.

But investigators said they found no evidence that either her husband or parents were exploiting her, and often noted in their records that they found Schiavo well cared for on their visits to her Pinellas Park hospice.

The agency released the records Friday under court order.

Schiavo, 41, died last month after her feeding tube was removed for the third time, ending a bitter court battle between her husband, Michael Schiavo, and parents, Robert and Mary Schindler, over whether she would have wanted to live in a vegetative state.

The repeated allegations of abuse were based partly on bone scans showing Terri Schiavo suffered fractures and statements she made to family and friends that she was unhappy in her marriage.

Schiavo's husband has denied harming his wife. His lawyer said the fractures resulted from osteoporosis caused by the woman's years of immobility and complications of her medication.

Robert Schindler declined to comment there on the release of the DCF documents. An attorney for Michael Schiavo did not immediately return calls.

Copyright 2005 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Copyright © 2005 ABC News Internet Ventures

[MHGinTN]

"She didn't see, she didn't hear, she didn't smell, she didn't feel, she didn't know." Wow, now you've assumed godlike powers! Here's a clue, even Cranford noted that she followed the movement of the balloon and followed minimal directions. It must be hard to have to continually deny facts and fabricate your 'proofs' for your predetermined assumptions.

[BigSkyFreeper]

ROFL!! :)

[Howlin]

I agree; we ALL talked about it for weeks.

[andysandmikesmom]

Just got a look at your new, updated living will...there is no mistaking what you do and dont want, and I sure hope your family abides by your wishes....

When I had to deal with the end of life issues with my mom, my dad, and my son, I had to deal with outsiders who thought they knew what was best for me and my family...they were just shocked when I politely listened to them, and then just as politely dismissed them...outsiders, who knew nothing of my parents, thought they should tell me what to do...I knew my parents wishes, they had told me enough times, what they did and did not want...I was their only child still alive, and they wanted to be very sure, that I was clear about what they wanted, and they wanted to rest assured, that I would be strong enough to carry out their wishes...

For my son, I advocated for him, until the end...even so, there were busybodies all around, trying to get me to change my decision....

When my time comes, ,I want my husband and my son to be my spokespersons...they know what I want, what I do not want, and they love me enough to give me what I want...I dont want a politician, or a supposedly 'moral' or 'religious' leader deciding for me, how I should live out my last days...

Being that I do not know exactly what Terri did or did not know, what she did or did not feel, I wish her parents could have cared for her as they wished...the way I look at it, she was not the Terri of the past, she was a different Terri, perhaps with the mind of an infant...and I feel that she should have been given the chance to live out her life, in whatever state she was in...

But I do understand that there are those who feel differently, and those who do believe, that she had really ceased to exist, so to speak, for many years....

[Drango]

It is my business.

Ahhhhhh there's the rub. Independent of Terri's situation, you have NO say in the end of life decision for my wife or me. NONE.

And to the extent you try to involve the state, church or congress in the matter, I'll fight you every step of the way.

[EternalVigilance]

But the pro lifers in Florida were so ugly, with the face of Randall Terry and shouting into bullhorns all night disturbing the people who DID have cognitive ability and were kept awake all night, that the moderates are thinking, this isn't a party I want to associate with.

A gross misrepresentation of what went on in front of the hospice.

[MHGinTN]

"This really is not a hard concept to grasp." If it was really about grasping, there wouldn't be such pernicious taunting; these folks have rejected for expedience sake. They grasp it but have chosen to cancel it in favor of defending the indefensible.

[BigSkyFreeper]

No man has the right to judge another person's quality of life, their 'value', or to kill them short of a conviction on capital charges.

This really is not a hard concept to grasp.

Well. Too many people stuck their noses into the private affairs of one American family and made Terri a political football to further their own agendas.

[joesbucks]

Regarding Dr. Cranford: Terri's parents, Robert and Mary Schindler, and their supporters have used videotape to imply that she's not in a vegetative state, Cranford said.

"The tapes have been very very persuasive," Cranford said, because she still has reflexes that allow her to breathe, sleep and move her eyes.

[presently no screen name]

Your life is and was NOT Terri's life. Terri planned on leaving him.

Will your tune change if your husband takes a mistress?
Will he still be your refuge? To death do you part.
Perhaps that's not a fair question - you would have to be in it, to REALLY know how you would feel.

[MHGinTN]

You rascal, I can't believe you actually have a link to Randall's picture! Eeew

[Howlin]

http://www.sptimes.com/2005/04/03/Perspective/Before_the_circus.shtml

[EternalVigilance]

WITHIN the law

The law as you folks have redefined it...ie minus the protections afforded by our Constitutions throughout our history against being murdered.

[Howlin]

I'm all about Google. Even got Google email now!

[Howlin]

Terri planned on leaving him.

How about linking the court testimony to that, please.

[Pan_Yans Wife]

Do you know what I thought when I saw the protestors dripping in venom and hate?

Yes, it brought to mind the pro life movement, but I specifically thought of all of the young women who have made the mistake of having an abortion. I worry about them, hope they find forgiveness with God, hope they can forgive THEMSELVES. Those protestors are never going to forgive ANYONE.

So much damage has been done. And it feels like we have given up on the youth. They need our encouragement to make the right decisions. Knowledge is power.

[BigSkyFreeper]

Well, shucks, I can give out 50 accounts, had I know you wanted one, I would have given you one! I told onyx and onyx said she would consider it in the future.

[Howlin]

The law as you folks have redefined it...

The law as it stands today, period.

BTW, I like it when you post stuff like "you folks." It can't be posted enough that "you" are not "us."

[Pan_Yans Wife]

PSST. Living will! All's well that ends well. I'll be fine, WITHOUT your help, thank you very much!

[Howlin]

Oh, good, just what she needs: another email account not to check. :-)