Judge: Amish Couple Neglected Sick Son

[Guest guest]

I'm staying out of NY.

Winnie

http://www.wfsb.com/news/18291526/detail.html?treets=hart & tid=2657703712813 & tml=\

hart_7am & tmi=hart_7am_-1_06000212172008 & ts=H

Judge: Amish Couple Neglected Sick Son

Couple Says Treatment Goes Against Beliefs

CANTON, N.Y. -- An upstate New York judge said an Amish couple neglected their

1-year-old son by refusing medical treatment for his life-threatening heart

condition.

Gideon and Barbara Hershberger, of Winthrop, claim the invasive procedure needed

to repair the defect violates their religious beliefs.

St. Lawrence County Family Judge Barbara Potter is requiring the parents to

provide medical care to their child " no matter what their religious beliefs. "

She will decide Dec. 23 whether to grant the county social services department's

petition to have Eli Hershberger removed from his parents' custody for the

surgery.

Galvin, the county's conflict public defender, represented the family

but declined to comment on the case.