Mother battles Michigan over daughter's medication - 05-22-11

[Guest guest]

http://news./s/ap/us_detroit_standoff_mother_s_fight

Mother battles Michigan over daughter's

medication

By COREY WILLIAMS, Associated Press –

Sun May 22,

5:57 pm ET

DETROIT – Frustration over her physically impaired daughter's

medical care led anne Godboldo to lash out at what she

considered state interference and into a 12-hour standoff when

Detroit police came to take the girl away.

When it ended, the unemployed mother was in handcuffs; her

daughter placed in a psychiatric hospital for children.

Godboldo now is locked in a bitter battle with Michigan's

Department of Human Services over her right to determine whether

the girl should continue taking the anti-psychotic drug

Risperdal and the government's responsibility to look after the

child's welfare.

Godboldo doesn't trust doctors much — she blames some of the

girl's past medical problems on possible physician negligence

and complications from childhood immunizations, but did not name

the doctors or release her daughter's medical records to The

Associated Press. She claims the girl has responded better to

holistic treatment that does not include Risperdal.

But the state is not budging on its assertion that without the

proper medication, Ariana is at risk.

"Our mandate is to go into court and prove there is medical

neglect," said Human Services Director Maura Corrigan, who

declined to speak directly about Godboldo's case due to the

ongoing court proceedings.

"Is there harm to the child? That's what we are trying to

assess," Corrigan told the AP in a recent interview.

A defiant Godboldo still believes she was right to defy police,

despite five days in jail and criminal charges, including

discharge of a firearm, three counts of assault with a dangerous

weapon and resisting officers.

"I was in my home. Why should I come out? They were invading my

home," Godboldo said.

Citing the charges, Godboldo declined to say if she fired a gun

when police arrived at her home March 24. But officers said a

gun and about 43 rounds of live ammunition were in the house,

and a spent shell casing was found after the standoff, according

to court records. Ariana also was in the house.

"I would always be concerned with a parent who has a gun and is

using it when a child is present because accidents happen," said

Oakland County Probate Court Judge Hallmark, who isn't

connected to the case but handles child custody issues. "If a

parent feels the child is going to be removed and there isn't a

basis for it, there are legal avenues that the parent needs to

follow."

Ariana already had her share of medical troubles when Godboldo

started giving her Risperdal more than a year ago at a doctor's

suggestion. She had lost her right leg below the knee as an

infant and wears a prosthesis. Godboldo claims she also

developed encephalitis, or inflammation of the brain, before

entering 6th grade.

She said her daughter complained often of being dizzy and had a

hoarse voice, became more clingy and fearful, and avoided

playing outside.

"It happened slowly at first, but it was enough to know when

your child makes a change," Godboldo said.

She sought help at a Detroit area center. Staff there put

Ariana on a treatment plan that included Risperdal, said

Folmar, one of Godboldo's attorneys.

Child Protective Services in its petition wrote that Ariana was

diagnosed with "psychosis NOS," or "not otherwise specified,"

Folmar said.

"They are saying `it's something going on in her head, but we

don't know what it is,'" the attorney added.

But Godboldo balked at a suggestion that her daughter be placed

in a mental hospital. She took the girl's treatment to another

center. She also decided to wean her from Risperdal, which

sometimes is used to treat schizophrenia.

"Ariana has some issues. She requires one-on-one attention,"

said Folmar, describing how the girl at times appears

unresponsive. But "she writes. She reads."

Risperdal often is used to contain behaviors like aggression and

even treat autism, said H. Suite, a board certified

psychiatrist and president and chief executive of Full Circle

Health in the Bronx, N.Y. Risperdal use has shown dramatic

reductions in psychotic symptoms, but there can be side-effects,

he added.

"Sometimes kids can have neurological problems ... muscular

tics," Suite said. "These drugs can slow you down."

After Godboldo's confrontation with police, Ariana spent about a

month in a children's psychiatric facility. She now is living

with Godboldo's sister, Penny. A judge has ordered that other

adult relatives be present when Godboldo visits with her

daughter.

But "to this day, there is not one court order saying give her

the medication," Folmar said. "No one has recommended giving the

child the medication."

It's not unusual for parents and the state to be at odds over

what's best.

Two Idaho parents lost a civil lawsuit last year when a judge

ruled their rights were not violated by an officer who took

custody of their infant daughter so a doctor could check for

signs of meningitis. Dale and Leilani Neumann of Wisconsin were

convicted of reckless homicide following the 2008 death of their

11-year-old daughter, whose undiagnosed diabetes was treated

with prayer instead of conventional medicine.

Godboldo said the state was not involved in the care of her

daughter until she pursued a more holistic treatment. When asked

by the AP what that entailed, she replied: "God's medication."

After Godboldo refused to attend a meeting with Child Protective

Services, officers arrived at her home to remove Ariana.

Godboldo claimed they never showed her a court order.

Detroit police declined to comment about the case "because of

the litigation involved," Sgt. Eren s said in an email.

When Godboldo refused to allow police in, the officers tried to

force their way through a side door but backed off after hearing

a gun shot, court documents said.

"ann did not shoot at police and she did not fire a gun with

any intention of scaring the police," Folmar said. "But even if

she did fire a so-called warning shot, right now the question is

of self-defense."

[Guest guest]

http://news./s/ap/us_detroit_standoff_mother_s_fight

Mother battles Michigan over daughter's

medication

By COREY WILLIAMS, Associated Press –

Sun May 22,

5:57 pm ET

DETROIT – Frustration over her physically impaired daughter's

medical care led anne Godboldo to lash out at what she

considered state interference and into a 12-hour standoff when

Detroit police came to take the girl away.

When it ended, the unemployed mother was in handcuffs; her

daughter placed in a psychiatric hospital for children.

Godboldo now is locked in a bitter battle with Michigan's

Department of Human Services over her right to determine whether

the girl should continue taking the anti-psychotic drug

Risperdal and the government's responsibility to look after the

child's welfare.

Godboldo doesn't trust doctors much — she blames some of the

girl's past medical problems on possible physician negligence

and complications from childhood immunizations, but did not name

the doctors or release her daughter's medical records to The

Associated Press. She claims the girl has responded better to

holistic treatment that does not include Risperdal.

But the state is not budging on its assertion that without the

proper medication, Ariana is at risk.

"Our mandate is to go into court and prove there is medical

neglect," said Human Services Director Maura Corrigan, who

declined to speak directly about Godboldo's case due to the

ongoing court proceedings.

"Is there harm to the child? That's what we are trying to

assess," Corrigan told the AP in a recent interview.

A defiant Godboldo still believes she was right to defy police,

despite five days in jail and criminal charges, including

discharge of a firearm, three counts of assault with a dangerous

weapon and resisting officers.

"I was in my home. Why should I come out? They were invading my

home," Godboldo said.

Citing the charges, Godboldo declined to say if she fired a gun

when police arrived at her home March 24. But officers said a

gun and about 43 rounds of live ammunition were in the house,

and a spent shell casing was found after the standoff, according

to court records. Ariana also was in the house.

"I would always be concerned with a parent who has a gun and is

using it when a child is present because accidents happen," said

Oakland County Probate Court Judge Hallmark, who isn't

connected to the case but handles child custody issues. "If a

parent feels the child is going to be removed and there isn't a

basis for it, there are legal avenues that the parent needs to

follow."

Ariana already had her share of medical troubles when Godboldo

started giving her Risperdal more than a year ago at a doctor's

suggestion. She had lost her right leg below the knee as an

infant and wears a prosthesis. Godboldo claims she also

developed encephalitis, or inflammation of the brain, before

entering 6th grade.

She said her daughter complained often of being dizzy and had a

hoarse voice, became more clingy and fearful, and avoided

playing outside.

"It happened slowly at first, but it was enough to know when

your child makes a change," Godboldo said.

She sought help at a Detroit area center. Staff there put

Ariana on a treatment plan that included Risperdal, said

Folmar, one of Godboldo's attorneys.

Child Protective Services in its petition wrote that Ariana was

diagnosed with "psychosis NOS," or "not otherwise specified,"

Folmar said.

"They are saying `it's something going on in her head, but we

don't know what it is,'" the attorney added.

But Godboldo balked at a suggestion that her daughter be placed

in a mental hospital. She took the girl's treatment to another

center. She also decided to wean her from Risperdal, which

sometimes is used to treat schizophrenia.

"Ariana has some issues. She requires one-on-one attention,"

said Folmar, describing how the girl at times appears

unresponsive. But "she writes. She reads."

Risperdal often is used to contain behaviors like aggression and

even treat autism, said H. Suite, a board certified

psychiatrist and president and chief executive of Full Circle

Health in the Bronx, N.Y. Risperdal use has shown dramatic

reductions in psychotic symptoms, but there can be side-effects,

he added.

"Sometimes kids can have neurological problems ... muscular

tics," Suite said. "These drugs can slow you down."

After Godboldo's confrontation with police, Ariana spent about a

month in a children's psychiatric facility. She now is living

with Godboldo's sister, Penny. A judge has ordered that other

adult relatives be present when Godboldo visits with her

daughter.

But "to this day, there is not one court order saying give her

the medication," Folmar said. "No one has recommended giving the

child the medication."

It's not unusual for parents and the state to be at odds over

what's best.

Two Idaho parents lost a civil lawsuit last year when a judge

ruled their rights were not violated by an officer who took

custody of their infant daughter so a doctor could check for

signs of meningitis. Dale and Leilani Neumann of Wisconsin were

convicted of reckless homicide following the 2008 death of their

11-year-old daughter, whose undiagnosed diabetes was treated

with prayer instead of conventional medicine.

Godboldo said the state was not involved in the care of her

daughter until she pursued a more holistic treatment. When asked

by the AP what that entailed, she replied: "God's medication."

After Godboldo refused to attend a meeting with Child Protective

Services, officers arrived at her home to remove Ariana.

Godboldo claimed they never showed her a court order.

Detroit police declined to comment about the case "because of

the litigation involved," Sgt. Eren s said in an email.

When Godboldo refused to allow police in, the officers tried to

force their way through a side door but backed off after hearing

a gun shot, court documents said.

"ann did not shoot at police and she did not fire a gun with

any intention of scaring the police," Folmar said. "But even if

she did fire a so-called warning shot, right now the question is

of self-defense."

[Guest guest]

http://news./s/ap/us_detroit_standoff_mother_s_fight

Mother battles Michigan over daughter's

medication

By COREY WILLIAMS, Associated Press –

Sun May 22,

5:57 pm ET

DETROIT – Frustration over her physically impaired daughter's

medical care led anne Godboldo to lash out at what she

considered state interference and into a 12-hour standoff when

Detroit police came to take the girl away.

When it ended, the unemployed mother was in handcuffs; her

daughter placed in a psychiatric hospital for children.

Godboldo now is locked in a bitter battle with Michigan's

Department of Human Services over her right to determine whether

the girl should continue taking the anti-psychotic drug

Risperdal and the government's responsibility to look after the

child's welfare.

Godboldo doesn't trust doctors much — she blames some of the

girl's past medical problems on possible physician negligence

and complications from childhood immunizations, but did not name

the doctors or release her daughter's medical records to The

Associated Press. She claims the girl has responded better to

holistic treatment that does not include Risperdal.

But the state is not budging on its assertion that without the

proper medication, Ariana is at risk.

"Our mandate is to go into court and prove there is medical

neglect," said Human Services Director Maura Corrigan, who

declined to speak directly about Godboldo's case due to the

ongoing court proceedings.

"Is there harm to the child? That's what we are trying to

assess," Corrigan told the AP in a recent interview.

A defiant Godboldo still believes she was right to defy police,

despite five days in jail and criminal charges, including

discharge of a firearm, three counts of assault with a dangerous

weapon and resisting officers.

"I was in my home. Why should I come out? They were invading my

home," Godboldo said.

Citing the charges, Godboldo declined to say if she fired a gun

when police arrived at her home March 24. But officers said a

gun and about 43 rounds of live ammunition were in the house,

and a spent shell casing was found after the standoff, according

to court records. Ariana also was in the house.

"I would always be concerned with a parent who has a gun and is

using it when a child is present because accidents happen," said

Oakland County Probate Court Judge Hallmark, who isn't

connected to the case but handles child custody issues. "If a

parent feels the child is going to be removed and there isn't a

basis for it, there are legal avenues that the parent needs to

follow."

Ariana already had her share of medical troubles when Godboldo

started giving her Risperdal more than a year ago at a doctor's

suggestion. She had lost her right leg below the knee as an

infant and wears a prosthesis. Godboldo claims she also

developed encephalitis, or inflammation of the brain, before

entering 6th grade.

She said her daughter complained often of being dizzy and had a

hoarse voice, became more clingy and fearful, and avoided

playing outside.

"It happened slowly at first, but it was enough to know when

your child makes a change," Godboldo said.

She sought help at a Detroit area center. Staff there put

Ariana on a treatment plan that included Risperdal, said

Folmar, one of Godboldo's attorneys.

Child Protective Services in its petition wrote that Ariana was

diagnosed with "psychosis NOS," or "not otherwise specified,"

Folmar said.

"They are saying `it's something going on in her head, but we

don't know what it is,'" the attorney added.

But Godboldo balked at a suggestion that her daughter be placed

in a mental hospital. She took the girl's treatment to another

center. She also decided to wean her from Risperdal, which

sometimes is used to treat schizophrenia.

"Ariana has some issues. She requires one-on-one attention,"

said Folmar, describing how the girl at times appears

unresponsive. But "she writes. She reads."

Risperdal often is used to contain behaviors like aggression and

even treat autism, said H. Suite, a board certified

psychiatrist and president and chief executive of Full Circle

Health in the Bronx, N.Y. Risperdal use has shown dramatic

reductions in psychotic symptoms, but there can be side-effects,

he added.

"Sometimes kids can have neurological problems ... muscular

tics," Suite said. "These drugs can slow you down."

After Godboldo's confrontation with police, Ariana spent about a

month in a children's psychiatric facility. She now is living

with Godboldo's sister, Penny. A judge has ordered that other

adult relatives be present when Godboldo visits with her

daughter.

But "to this day, there is not one court order saying give her

the medication," Folmar said. "No one has recommended giving the

child the medication."

It's not unusual for parents and the state to be at odds over

what's best.

Two Idaho parents lost a civil lawsuit last year when a judge

ruled their rights were not violated by an officer who took

custody of their infant daughter so a doctor could check for

signs of meningitis. Dale and Leilani Neumann of Wisconsin were

convicted of reckless homicide following the 2008 death of their

11-year-old daughter, whose undiagnosed diabetes was treated

with prayer instead of conventional medicine.

Godboldo said the state was not involved in the care of her

daughter until she pursued a more holistic treatment. When asked

by the AP what that entailed, she replied: "God's medication."

After Godboldo refused to attend a meeting with Child Protective

Services, officers arrived at her home to remove Ariana.

Godboldo claimed they never showed her a court order.

Detroit police declined to comment about the case "because of

the litigation involved," Sgt. Eren s said in an email.

When Godboldo refused to allow police in, the officers tried to

force their way through a side door but backed off after hearing

a gun shot, court documents said.

"ann did not shoot at police and she did not fire a gun with

any intention of scaring the police," Folmar said. "But even if

she did fire a so-called warning shot, right now the question is

of self-defense."

[Guest guest]

http://news./s/ap/us_detroit_standoff_mother_s_fight

Mother battles Michigan over daughter's

medication

By COREY WILLIAMS, Associated Press –

Sun May 22,

5:57 pm ET

DETROIT – Frustration over her physically impaired daughter's

medical care led anne Godboldo to lash out at what she

considered state interference and into a 12-hour standoff when

Detroit police came to take the girl away.

When it ended, the unemployed mother was in handcuffs; her

daughter placed in a psychiatric hospital for children.

Godboldo now is locked in a bitter battle with Michigan's

Department of Human Services over her right to determine whether

the girl should continue taking the anti-psychotic drug

Risperdal and the government's responsibility to look after the

child's welfare.

Godboldo doesn't trust doctors much — she blames some of the

girl's past medical problems on possible physician negligence

and complications from childhood immunizations, but did not name

the doctors or release her daughter's medical records to The

Associated Press. She claims the girl has responded better to

holistic treatment that does not include Risperdal.

But the state is not budging on its assertion that without the

proper medication, Ariana is at risk.

"Our mandate is to go into court and prove there is medical

neglect," said Human Services Director Maura Corrigan, who

declined to speak directly about Godboldo's case due to the

ongoing court proceedings.

"Is there harm to the child? That's what we are trying to

assess," Corrigan told the AP in a recent interview.

A defiant Godboldo still believes she was right to defy police,

despite five days in jail and criminal charges, including

discharge of a firearm, three counts of assault with a dangerous

weapon and resisting officers.

"I was in my home. Why should I come out? They were invading my

home," Godboldo said.

Citing the charges, Godboldo declined to say if she fired a gun

when police arrived at her home March 24. But officers said a

gun and about 43 rounds of live ammunition were in the house,

and a spent shell casing was found after the standoff, according

to court records. Ariana also was in the house.

"I would always be concerned with a parent who has a gun and is

using it when a child is present because accidents happen," said

Oakland County Probate Court Judge Hallmark, who isn't

connected to the case but handles child custody issues. "If a

parent feels the child is going to be removed and there isn't a

basis for it, there are legal avenues that the parent needs to

follow."

Ariana already had her share of medical troubles when Godboldo

started giving her Risperdal more than a year ago at a doctor's

suggestion. She had lost her right leg below the knee as an

infant and wears a prosthesis. Godboldo claims she also

developed encephalitis, or inflammation of the brain, before

entering 6th grade.

She said her daughter complained often of being dizzy and had a

hoarse voice, became more clingy and fearful, and avoided

playing outside.

"It happened slowly at first, but it was enough to know when

your child makes a change," Godboldo said.

She sought help at a Detroit area center. Staff there put

Ariana on a treatment plan that included Risperdal, said

Folmar, one of Godboldo's attorneys.

Child Protective Services in its petition wrote that Ariana was

diagnosed with "psychosis NOS," or "not otherwise specified,"

Folmar said.

"They are saying `it's something going on in her head, but we

don't know what it is,'" the attorney added.

But Godboldo balked at a suggestion that her daughter be placed

in a mental hospital. She took the girl's treatment to another

center. She also decided to wean her from Risperdal, which

sometimes is used to treat schizophrenia.

"Ariana has some issues. She requires one-on-one attention,"

said Folmar, describing how the girl at times appears

unresponsive. But "she writes. She reads."

Risperdal often is used to contain behaviors like aggression and

even treat autism, said H. Suite, a board certified

psychiatrist and president and chief executive of Full Circle

Health in the Bronx, N.Y. Risperdal use has shown dramatic

reductions in psychotic symptoms, but there can be side-effects,

he added.

"Sometimes kids can have neurological problems ... muscular

tics," Suite said. "These drugs can slow you down."

After Godboldo's confrontation with police, Ariana spent about a

month in a children's psychiatric facility. She now is living

with Godboldo's sister, Penny. A judge has ordered that other

adult relatives be present when Godboldo visits with her

daughter.

But "to this day, there is not one court order saying give her

the medication," Folmar said. "No one has recommended giving the

child the medication."

It's not unusual for parents and the state to be at odds over

what's best.

Two Idaho parents lost a civil lawsuit last year when a judge

ruled their rights were not violated by an officer who took

custody of their infant daughter so a doctor could check for

signs of meningitis. Dale and Leilani Neumann of Wisconsin were

convicted of reckless homicide following the 2008 death of their

11-year-old daughter, whose undiagnosed diabetes was treated

with prayer instead of conventional medicine.

Godboldo said the state was not involved in the care of her

daughter until she pursued a more holistic treatment. When asked

by the AP what that entailed, she replied: "God's medication."

After Godboldo refused to attend a meeting with Child Protective

Services, officers arrived at her home to remove Ariana.

Godboldo claimed they never showed her a court order.

Detroit police declined to comment about the case "because of

the litigation involved," Sgt. Eren s said in an email.

When Godboldo refused to allow police in, the officers tried to

force their way through a side door but backed off after hearing

a gun shot, court documents said.

"ann did not shoot at police and she did not fire a gun with

any intention of scaring the police," Folmar said. "But even if

she did fire a so-called warning shot, right now the question is

of self-defense."