Juvenile court orders teen to accept chemo, reversed by circuit court

Starchild Abraham Cherrix has Hodgkin's disease, and when the disease returned after his initial round of chemo, he refused a second round, opting instead for "a sugar-free, organic diet and take herbal supplements under the supervision of a clinic in Mexico" [Washington Post]:

A social worker asked a juvenile court judge to require the teen to continue conventional treatment, and the judge on Friday ordered Abraham to report to a hospital Tuesday. But Accomack County Circuit Court Judge Glen A. Tyler suspended the judge's order. . . . Tyler [also] agreed to a stay and set a trial date of Aug. 16 [and] ended joint custody of Abraham between his parents and social services officials.

In a similar case last year, the parents of 13-year-old Hodgkin's disease patient Katie Wernecke won the right in November to make all her medical decisions after a court fight with Texas child welfare officials. Doctors had recommended chemotherapy and radiation; her father favored a program of intravenous vitamin C.

The 'Net is ablaze with coverage of this story, as well as commentary. Here is a sampling:

• Treatment should be patients' choiceMSU State News, MI - 52 minutes ago... illnesses? Starchild Abraham Cherrix, who goes by Abraham, a 16-year-old from Virginia, has been dealing with this question lately....
• Is That Freedom Ringing?Hammer of Truth - 1 hour agoGood news from the Abraham Cherrix saga! Accomack County Circuit Court Judge Glen A. Tyler ruled that Abraham does not have to report ...
• Statements on Abraham Cherrix chemotherapy court decision by Mike ...Newstarget.com, Taiwan - Jul 21, 2006"The court's demand that Abraham Cherrix, a clear-thinking young man ... It is the ultimate misuse of power and equivalent to a death sentence upon Mr. Cherrix.". ...
• His say-so was boycottedWashington Times, DC - 12 minutes ago... On July 21, juvenile court Judge Jesse E. Demps ruled that the boy's parents, Jay and Rose Cherrix of Chincoteague, were neglectful and must continue to share ...
• Teen's court battle gains national attentionChincoteague Beacon, VA - Jul 20, 2006... it probes at what age a minor is old enough to make personal medical choices -- is drawing remarkable media attention for 16-year-old Abraham Cherrix and his ...

Art Caplan is one of the few voices in the wilderness who questions the wisdom of letting young Mr. Cherrix decide his fate:

• Medical Neglect? The Abraham Cherrix Case
  This is an especially tough case since the child involved is older and seems very mature. Still it is hard to deny an efficacious treatment based on the views of a sixteen year old who is still strongly under his parents influence when it comes to attitudes about standard medical care.