Little boy has been removed from hospital by his parents

[Itsfab]

He is very sick, needs constant treatment. His parents have taken him to France.

I don't understand why the hospital didn't notice or alert the police for 6 hours.

The police won't comment on the parents being Jehovah's Witnesses.

It sounds wrong when the statement said he was removed without consent. The child is theirs, should be allowed to be in charge of him, but of course it is he that will lose his life if not cared for and that isn't in his best interests necessarily.

I hope he is found and can be cured.

[Heels99]

No, losing his life isn't in his best interests.....

[Itsfab]

I knew someone would misunderstand me. If someone is in incredible pain and has no quality of life then doctors might think withdrawing treatment to allow the patient to pass away would be for the best.

[AuntieStella]

"I don't understand why the hospital didn't notice or alert the police for 6 hours."

Because he was off the ward with his family as an ordinary part of his rehabilitation. It was only when he did not return as expected, attempts to contact the family had failed, and a search of the hospital hadn't located him, that the police were alerted.

[Itsfab]

It all just sounds so sad but yes, the reporting seems to be implying his parents are not acting in his best interests and that isn't fair unless the police know more than they are saying which is of course possible.

[Heels99]

The reports are suggesting parents not acting in child's best interests because it is likely he will die if not found therefore the police are keen to find him. What happens after that will likely be a court decision.

[AuntieStella]

Yes, I wondered about whether the type of pump he uses could be attached to the mains (I suppose I depends on what sort of current it runs on, but you can get adaptors for all sorts of permutations as long as there's a cable).

It's more likely to be a problem if the feed he requires is hard to get hold of.

[AuntieStella]

Media are now reporting that JW HQ in France have made a statement confirming they have not heard from the family, and have contacted all the Mission Halls in France alerting them. They will report to police and British consulate if family gets in touch with a Hall anywhere in France.

(Not sure if it is a good or bad thing that they said that publicly)

[ClashCityRocker]

I don't think you can comment on a particular case without actually being in the situation, or at least in possession of all the facts.

I think it does raise questions over a parents rights to dictate children's medical treatment.

[AuntieStella]

I agree MrsDevere.

We don't know why they departed with him like this. And we don't know much about his condition and prognosis. Nor whether there were disputes about his care.

And we cannot know if they have a stockpile of the items he needs for his care right now.

All we know is that a highly vulnerable little boy cannot be located, and the authorities in at least 2 countries are trying to find him.

[bonzo77]

We obviously don't know all the facts. What about the possibility that they want to take their baby with them, and for him to die surrounded by his loving parents and siblings, somewhere quiet and beautiful, away from machines and doctors who do not respect their way of life. Who knows what arrangements they have made to keep him comfortable, pain free and happy? Who is to decide what constitutes "best interests"? Because we all know that "best interests" are not always the same thing as "alive at all costs".

[MerryMarigold]

They seem like a lovely family. There is a link online from his older brother, which is beautiful. I don't think this is some mother or father doing something mad/ crazy from pressure or stress. They must have good reasons...it's sad the meeja are involved now and ignorant people will be baying, prompted by the papers who rile people up so they can sell papers. All at the expense of this poor family.

[hiddenhome]

You don't need a machine to PEG feed someone. You can do bolus feeds with a simple connecting tube and a syringe.

[GimmeMySquash]

Maybe they are giving him frubes and are taking him to Disney land, as he is apparently terminal.

[calzone]

The fact they are witnesses is irrelevant imho.
It has nothing to do with the story at all. The media just want to add more drama.

The blood thing with JW is also irrelevant.

Courts will always make minors a ward of court and give them blood if they deem it necessary.

JW's do not allow blood transfusions based on the teachings of the Bible which tells them to abstain from blood.
All the parents have to do is state that they would rather their child did not receive a blood transfusion.....the courts will do what they want to do anyway but it means that, once the parents have said No to a BT, their conscience is clean before God.

[EverythingCounts]

The reporting has been very odd. I hope wherever he is, he can be given pain relief if he needs it at least.

[JoyceDivision]

That poor boy and his poor family are in my thoughts.

It's obvious there is so much information unknown or being left out of the reports

There but for the grace of god go I... to be in position of any loved one suffering, but a child, and being hunted, hounded and demonised before any full facts have been made clear, is horrendous

I hope the boy is safe, comfortable, in minimal pain, and surrounded by loveand people who are doing what is right for him