Judge Rules Teen At Center Of Custody Battle Was Victim Of Child Medical Abuse
(CBS) -- It is a case of a mother's wishes for her very ill son and a doctor's concern and fear. On Monday, a judge intervened on the heartbreaking story that stretches from Kansas City to Chicago.
At 4-years-old, Isaiah Rider was diagnosed with neurofibromatosis, a genetic condition where tumors develop on his nerves, ultimately forcing doctors to amputate one of his legs.
"After my surgery, I only remember having a lot of pain," Rider said in a Facebook video.
The pain was so severe, his mom, Michelle Rider, ended up moving him from a hospital in Kansas City to Lurie Children's Hospital earlier this year.
It was there that doctors and nurses called DCFS to report Michelle for what appeared to be a form of Munchausen by Proxy.
"I was surrounded by a bunch of doctors and they told me that I wasn't allowed to see my mother no more," Isaiah said in a Facebook video.
DCFS says Michelle routinely interfered with their diagnosis, at times urging doctors to switch Isaiah's medication and even moving Isaiah to new hospitals when she disagreed with the medical staff.
"My question is: Is it wrong to seek help for a child that's ill?" Michelle asked. "Is it wrong as a parent to advocate for your child and get the best care for them?
Isaiah has been a ward of the state of Illinois since April.
A judge ruled today that after multiple hospital moves and years of treatment, Isaiah was the victim of child medical abuse by the hands of his own mother.
"She disagreed with doctors and she got in trouble for that -- it's just that simple," said Randy Kretchmar, Michelle's attorney.
"I have a very sick child who is in the hospital," Michelle Rider said. "He's getting worse and I don't feel like justice was served today."
Michelle Rider has not been arrested or charged with a crime. Isaiah Rider is still a ward of the state of Illinois with a final decision and plan coming next month. Right now, he's being treated at Comer Children's Hospital here in Chicago.
