Officials: Detroit girl taken in standoff doesn't need meds right now

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http://www.freep.com/article/20110414/NEWS01/104140433/Officials-Detroit-girl-taken-standoff-doesn-t-need-meds-right-now

Officials: Detroit girl taken in standoff doesn't need

meds right now

12:19 AM, Apr. 14,

2011

Authorities have determined there is no emergency need

for a 13-year-old girl to be on medication, after the

girl's mother was accused of medically neglecting her by

not giving her a psychotropic drug.

The girl has been in state custody since Child Protective

Services workers showed up to take her, prompting an

hours-long standoff between her mother and police.

Judge Lynne Pierce said during a hearing in Wayne

County's juvenile court Wednesday that a jury trial in the

case will begin June 8.

The girl's mother, anne Godboldo, is accused of

firing a gun at officers when CPS came to her Detroit home

take her daughter.

Godboldo has said she should have the right to decide

treatment for her daughter, whom she was weaning off the

drug in favor of holistic methods.

Though officials said Wednesday that there was no

immediate need to give the girl medication, Michigan

Assistant Attorney General Law said he may

reintroduce the issue later if the need arises.

"They took her unlawfully," Godboldo said after

Wednesday's hearing.

Godboldo has said she noticed changes in her daughter's

behavior after a series of immunizations in 2009.

Mia Wenk, a CPS worker, testified earlier this month that

she filed a petition containing multiple allegations of

neglect, along with the order to take the child into

protective custody, two weeks after she became involved in

the case March 10.

An amended version of the petition was submitted to the

court earlier this month.

Pierce will rule on emergency motions by defense

attorneys on April 22.

Godboldo's attorney, Wanda , has filed motions to

dismiss and to relocate the child from a care facility in

Northville, where she has been since shortly after the

standoff with police ended March 25.

Pierce requested the child's advocate find out whether

the girl can be medically discharged and placed with a

qualified family member.

"I'd love to get this child into a family member's home,"

but the court, Pierce said, "has to follow the law."

Contact Damron: 313-223-4526 or gdamron@...