Getting to the bottom of the Justina Pelletier case
To the editor:
The case of Justina Pelletier raises more very serious concerns regarding decision-making at the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families. While it is not possible for a Legislative body to interject itself into ongoing civil and criminal litigation, we do have the responsibility and power to investigate and provide oversight. This task is ongoing in the House of Representatives and will take some time if it is to be done correctly, requiring many current DCF employees to testify under oath.
It appears that after Justina was locked in a psychiatric unit at Boston Children’s Hospital against her will, her health did not improve.
While the Pelletier family may have acted irrationally and belligerently against Boston Children’s Hospital, DCF and our courts, one must keep in mind that they have been very much dropped through a log chipper.
If these concerns are substantiated, then I will be asking the following questions regarding current law:
■ Is the term “reasonable suspicion” too low a bar to allow the state to seize custody of a sick child?
■ Should medical caregivers under the direction of DCF receive liability protection through sovereign immunity?
■ Should child custody hearings in which the state is an adversary against parents or family be closed to the public without a finding that secrecy is necessary to reasonably protect the minor?
These are indeed tough questions that must be publicly discussed in order prevent recurrence of the disturbing circumstances presented by this case.
Linda Dean Campbell
State representative
Methuen
Ithink there are many other questions as well, and the problem goes beyond the Dept. of Children and Families. As I noted in a comment to my post on the Pelletier case, the Dept. of Developmental Services has also made or supported similar decisions to remove children from their families under circumstances similar to the Pelletier case. The case of Sara Duzan is just one example.
I hope the Legislature is looking at the total problem and not just the piece of it that has made the most news.
An adult that brings up the issue of thin-skinned bureaucrats hiding their revenges with secrecy. Too many cases of bureaucratic goonism bubble to the surface in spite of imposed secrecy not to think this is not just the tip of the iceberg? A dangerous trend?
Let us remember how the Department of Revenue was cleaned up during the Dukakis administration. Maybe some light will serve as disinfectant.
Thank you, Rep. Campbell.
“Hell hath no fury like a bureaucrat scorned.” –Milton Friedman
the Pelletiers have acted reasonably and rationally, and have shown an amazing level of restraint. I believe Judge Johnston has acted contrary to law and did not have jurisdiction to take a hostage from another state. Justina needs to be returned to her parents before MA has a death on its hands.
This is not about reasonable suspicion. This is about money and power and government overreach and intrusion on parental rights. Your “fixes” are upside down and backwards and would only exacerbate the root causes of the problem. This situation is a disgrace.
It’s time to do the right thing. The world is watching.