Chemo Forced on Connecticut Teen Against Her Will

By Rich Scinto (Patch Staff)

A 17-year-old Connecticut girl and her mother will take on the state Department of Children and Families in court after the agency forced the girl to undergo chemotherapy against her will.

A girl identified as “Cassandra C.” in court documents was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma in September 2014 and physicians recommended chemotherapy, according to Fox CT. She refused treatment and her mother backed her decision.

The DCF took custody of Cassandra in order to carry out the treatment, according to theHartford Courant.

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Police issued a Silver Alert for Cassandra in November and she was found days later. It was noted that she was in immediate need of medical attention.

Hodgkin’s lymphoma is a type of immune system cancer, according to the National Cancer Institute. There were an estimated 9,190 new cases in 2014 and 1,180 deaths.

A lawyer representing Cassandra told the Hartford Courant that doctors believe she has an 80 to 85 percent chance of surviving if she follows the treatment.

A lawyer for Cassandra’s mother will ask the state Supreme Court to adopt the mature minor doctrine, which allows certain minors to make major decisions.

Experts predict the case could have legal ramifications regarding the rights of minors in the state and the nation when it comes to major life decisions.

The DCF declined to comment about the case.

Read the Fox CT report here.

Read the Courant report here.

Image via Windsor Locks Police Department