Terri Schiavo's Family Files Contempt Motion to Obtain Terri's Medical Info

Clearwater, FL (LifeNews.com) -- The family of Terri Schiavo, on Tuesday, filed a contempt of court motion against Terri's estranged husband Michael. They say he is once again withholding information from them concerning Terri's medical condition, in violation of a 1996 court order.

Last week, Terri began vomiting and Terri's parents, Bob and Mary Schindler, asked nursing and hospice staff what had caused it and what measures were being taken to treat Terri.

Terri is currently living at Park Place Assisted Living Facility in Clearwater, Florida, and staff at the facility told the Schindlers that they were under orders from Michael's attorneys not to divulge any information.

That prompted family attorney Pat Anderson to file a contempt of court motion against Michael.

A 1996 judicial mandate by the Pinellas County Circuit Court requires Michael to provide Terri's family with current information concerning her medical condition and treatment.

"Michael Schiavo's flagrant violation of the simple and understandable terms of the 1996 order is deliberate and contumacious," the motion says. "Its harm to the Schindlers is continuing in nature, but they are not the only ones harmed."

The motion says the Schindlers are concerned for their daughter because the vomiting "could result in aspirational pneumonia, a life-threating condition for a patient such as Terri, especially if left untreated."

Mary Schindler said she is worried that the positioning of Terri's body during the tube feedings is a possible cause for the vomiting.

The 1996 court order required Michael to notify any future nursing home that provides care or medical services to Terri "that he has no objections to the nursing home discussing [Terri's] medical condition with Robert Schindler or Mary Schindler."

The order also required Michael to provide the Schindlers with any neurological reports and to inform them of any "significant changes" in Terri's medical condition.

Additionally, a court order in September of 2003 directed Michael to provide a discharge summary from Morton Plant Hospital to Terri's parents. He has yet to comply.

Related web sites: Contempt motion - http://www.zimp.org/documents/022404contempt.pdf

Court order requiring Michael to provide medical info - http://www.zimp.org/documents/1996%20Court%20Order.pdf

I think we should bombard the police with our concerns. This is insane! Michael sounds like he is in charge of the investigation.

I just called the mayor's office of Clearwater. They gave me the police spokeman. He didn't answer, I left a voice message. I called the police, but was disconnected.
I want to know why the police are letting Michael take control of who visits Terri, instead of the police denying access to Michael and everyone else until this is cleared up. Michael has been accused before of using a hyperdermic needle on Terri by one of the nurses and should be the primary suspect, not the Schindlers. He was even the one who called the police, so obviously he was there to administer something to Terri. It's not the Schindler's who want her dead.

The police spokesman is Wayne Shelor - 727-562-4333
Mayor's office - 727-562-4050

http://www.clearwaterpolice.org/

There's contact info at the site above.

Tuck this away for future reference.
Please contact FL ombudsman. Make a report in "good faith." Make sure you include your name, address, phone number, as that is part of the process. I also contacted the Advocacy Center, JEB, ACLJ, NCEA, and others. Here is the reply I received from the National Center on Elder Abuse in DC.

Thank you for contacting the NCEA. I am sorry to hear about this - these matters need to be investigated by the Long Term Care Ombudsman in the state where the incident occurred. In Florida, that number is 800-962-2873.

National Center on Elder Abuse
1201 15th Street, N.W., Suite 350
Washington, D.C. 20005-2800
202/898-2586 (phone)
202/898-2583 (fax)
NCEA@nasua.org

In the weeks Terri has been at Park Place she has vomited twice, lost two molars, developed a decubitus ulcer and now, allegedly, was assaulted.

She is not allowed any visitors. Her family has been denied visitation, and so have friends. Her lack of treatment will be further compromised without any family and friends to check on her.

Here is what I sent

To Whom It Concerns,

In the past several days, word has been sent out that Terri Schiavo, currently housed at:
Park Place in Clearwater, Fl.
Assisted Living Facility
2750 Drew St.
727 799 2177
has lost a tooth, has a decubitus ulcer to the buttock, (a bedsore) and has lost a second tooth.

According to Cheryl Ford, RN, Schindler family confidant, the staff refuses to speak to the family. The staff will not answer any questions, in violation of a 1996 court order, regarding the bedsore. If untreated, the sore worsens, affecting the muscle then bone, Terri becomes septic, and dies.

To house this brain injured woman in a health care facility, provide substandard care, and deny her basic rights of protection is abusive as hell. Unresolved litigation and disputes within the family are not the issue. Terri Schiavo is the issue.

Consider this a good faith report. The facility should be investigated along with personnel. To flagrantly violate state laws by not reporting abuse to this gal is not a comforting feeling. Each caregiver who has had contact with Terri needs investigated.

Check what narcotics are being given Terri allegedly in a PVS, and how they deduce she is in pain if she is a PVS. Find out why this gal receives no sensory stimulation. Why she is not allowed outside in a wheelchair with her family. Why her family is not allowed to take photos. Why visitors must be approved by the estranged husband. Why there is an armed officer inside her room. The Schindler's are not able to bond with their daughter in a normal fashion. This is not health care. This is jail.

39.201 and 415.1034, Fla. Stat.
415.102(1), Fla. Stat.
415.102(26), Fla. Stat.
39.205 and 415.111, Fla. Stat. regarding failure to report; section 464.018, Fla. Stat. regarding disciplinary actions
39.203 and 415.1036, Fla. Stat.
825.101(2), Fla. Stat.
National Center on Elder Abuse, www.elderabusecenter.org
825.102 and 827.03, Fla. Stat

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