The investigation by the Advocacy Center for Persons with Disabilities, an agency mandated in states and funded by Congress, could play a decisive role in a revived legal battle over who should be the guardian of the 39-year-old Schiavo - her husband or her parents.
If this is TRUE, this is the BEST news I have heard allday!!! There is a LOT of evidence they have to work with. Right???
Under federal law, the agency is granted strong investigative powers, including examining medical and court-sealed guardian financial records, and its findings of abuse or neglect would be conclusive and pre-emptive of any court or other agency determination, said Patricia Anderson, an attorney for Terri Schiavo's parents.
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"They are referred to as the `big sharks' in the disability field," Anderson said of the agency. "What we have here is a guardianship system that discriminates against disabled people."
Richard LaBelle, an attorney and agency board member who is involved in the investigation, said this week's events will aid the investigation.
"I think to the extent that Terri is still alive and will be receiving food and water - we think that's a positive development," he said.
LaBelle said he did not know how long the probe would take, saying it depended on how much cooperation the agency receives in obtaining Schiavo's medical records and access to individuals on both sides of the court fight.
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Sounds like this groups has powers that transcend Judge Voldemort...although why they didn't step in earlier is still a mystery. Perhaps the public outcry and publicity didn't reach a fever pitch until the past few days.