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Court Issues Finely-Tuned Ruling In Ordering Surgery For Amish Boy

By Howard M. Friedman

In St. Lawrence County, New York, a family court judge has issued a finely-tuned ruling in the case of a 20-month old Amish boy, Eli Hershberger, who likely will die if he does not receive surgery to repair a hole in his heart. His parents' religious beliefs preclude them from consenting to the surgery. According to yesterday's Watertown Daily Times, Family Court Judge Barbara R. Potter ruled that while the boy's parents give him affection and provide for his basic needs, they have neglected him medically. That neglect finding permitted the court to order the surgery without the boy's parents needing to sign a consent form. Parents Gideon and Barbara Hershberger, however, will not lose custody of Eli and no criminal charges will be brought against the parents. The Family Court could subsequently dismiss the case if the parents comply with specified conditions, including taking Eli to all medical checkups and providing doctors with his medical information.

Full post as published by Religion Clause on December 25, 2008 (boomark / email).