Mom Accused Of Denying Son Chemo Treatments
SALEM, Mass A woman has been charged with withholding cancer medication from her 8-year-old autistic son, who prosecutors say likely will die because the cancer has returned.
Kristen Anne LaBrie, 36, of Beverly, was released on personal recognizance Monday after pleading not guilty in Salem District Court to a charge of reckless child endangerment.
And the mother’s reason for doing so?
Her son, Jeremy Fraser, had been in remission from non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
He had a good prognosis when first diagnosed, with chances of recovery put at 85 percent to 90 percent, according to a police report. But his chances have dropped to 10 percent since being deprived of medication, authorities said.
Prosecutor Kate MacDougall said “in all likelihood, Jeremy Fraser will not see his ninth birthday.”
According to a police report, Fraser was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma in 2006 and underwent a five-phase regimen of chemotherapy, including drugs that were supposed to be given to him at his house by his mother.Police said LaBrie canceled at least a dozen appointments for chemotherapy treatments. MacDougall also said LaBrie did not fill at least half of the prescriptions her son was given.
In March, Dr. Alison Friedmann, the child’s oncologist at Massachusetts General Hospital, filed a report of suspected neglect with the Department of Social Services after discovering Fraser’s cancer had returned, something that should not have happened if he was on his medications
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Although, withholding treatment is not uncommon, usually it’s done under the guise of religious beliefs and is completely legal. I could also accept the decision not to treat if it was made by a person of legal age, but very often a lot of decisions are made by parents on behalf of their children. To me, this mother’s actions state that she believes her child is not worthy of living.
This mother is responsible for killing her son
I hope Mz. LaBrie will suffer some serious eternal chap-ass for the crime she’s accused of committing. It’s absolutely nauseating and inexcusable.
