Drake Pardo case - child removed from Texas home by CPS

[AuntKrazy]

Is anyone out there following the Drake Pardo situation in Texas?  CPS removed a 4 year old child from the home last month for "possible medical child abuse".

There is a local outcry of the highly political christian conservative homeschool association; which has been borderline harrassing the court (and raising a ton of money for the parents) to say that  their "parental" rights were violated by the removal of their son.

The complaint was initiated by a doctor - and the judge has issued a gag order to the parents who have tried to make this into something illegal:

https://www.inforney.com/local-news/judge-upholds-cps-decision-to-remove-child-for-possible-medical/article_0cc416fa-9f66-11e9-8231-ffd9d7790c3b.html

The Texas Home School Coalition is funding their defense - and their take is one of complete "outrage" 

https://thsc.org/pardo-family-cps-update/

From what I have read, since he was removed from the home he has improved to being ambulatory, eating a regular diet and even potty trained since being removed from the home. 

I find this so hypocritical - these are the same folks that would protect "an unborn child" over the mother's rights, but once the child is born, it seems they believe all rights shift exclusively to the parents.

[JermajestyDuggar]

The mother in this case sounds so much like Gypsy Rose’s mother Deedee. Claims of needing a wheel chair, sleep apnea, seizures,  and demanding a G tube. 

Edited August 7, 2019 by JermajestyDuggar

[hoipolloi]

The Pardo "parents" sound like fucking monsters, especially Ashley Pardo. Shopping around for a GI specialist who will implant a G-tube in Drake at her demand? Horrifying. CPS needs to remove the other children immediately. 

Oh, and the Texas Home School Coalition? Go fuck yourselves.

[nelliebelle1197]

Feeding tubes are really common with Munchausen's mothers. The woman from Alabama who ended up killing her kid with salt while living in New York is another one.

[hoipolloi]

32 minutes ago, nelliebelle1197 said:

Feeding tubes are really common with Munchausen's mothers. The woman from Alabama who ended up killing her kid with salt while living in New York is another one.

Would just note that the statements from the pediatrics specialists in the news article are absolutely chilling. 

Obviously, the Pardo "parents" are too fucking stupid and arrogant to realize that when they go doctor-shopping, there are going to be records, probably very detailed records if they're demanding things like G-tubes.

 

[Dreadcrumbs]

12 minutes ago, hoipolloi said:

Would just note that the statements from the pediatrics specialists in the news article are absolutely chilling. 

Obviously, the Pardo "parents" are too fucking stupid and arrogant to realize that when they go doctor-shopping, there are going to be records, probably very detailed records if they're demanding things like G-tubes.

 

I think Munchausens cases bank on no one taking the time to follow the paper trails they leave behind.

[JermajestyDuggar]

31 minutes ago, Dreadcrumbs said:

I think Munchausens cases bank on no one taking the time to follow the paper trails they leave behind.

I believe it used to be easier to do it. But with today’s technology, I imagine it doesn’t take that much follow up work to find out someone is doctor shopping. 

[AuntKrazy]

I'm concerned that they are trying to protect doctor shopping as a "parental right". 

To me it seems like this is the culmination of a lot of the anti-science woo that has somehow aligned with fundie-lite Christianity.  

I'm completely speculating, but, I would not be surprised to find out that Ashley Pardo is anti-vaccination and believes her child has autism because of a "vaccine injury".   At first, the reports were that no one had actually diagnosed the son with autism; however, now there is evidence of at least one record of this as a diagnosis.

I feel like we are entering an era where we are going to see pushes for legislatures to define parents as the only ones who get to determine children's access to healthcare and treatment.  (i.e. a 13 year old does not have the right to consent to gardisal - only the parent.)  I'm concerned for the children that may be harmed by a denial of their own agency and rights.  It's illegal to kill a child -but at what point is a denial of healthcare murder?  (i.e. denial of insulin, etc).  And how many doctors have to say a procedure is unnecessary before it gets flagged?  

I'm glad that Drake seems to be physically improving; and hope that we in Texas do not end up with ridiculous restraints placed on CPS assisting other children and providing help because of the political intervention of these groups in the legislature.

[Dreadcrumbs]

1 hour ago, JermajestyDuggar said:

I believe it used to be easier to do it. But with today’s technology, I imagine it doesn’t take that much follow up work to find out someone is doctor shopping. 

Even with today's tech, HIPPA might be a roadblock to a certain extent. Just because you're a professional and want PHI doesn't mean you can get it on demand.

[JermajestyDuggar]

13 minutes ago, Dreadcrumbs said:

Even with today's tech, HIPPA might be a roadblock to a certain extent. Just because you're a professional and want PHI doesn't mean you can get it on demand.

Munchausen syndrome by proxy doctor shopping is like a drop in the bucket compared to drug addiction doctor shopping. That’s where most of the doctor shopping in the US stems from. There are certain things that will be a red flag to most doctors whether it be MSBP or addiction. 

[Dreadcrumbs]

2 minutes ago, JermajestyDuggar said:

Munchausen syndrome by proxy doctor shopping is like a drop in the bucket compared to drug addiction doctor shopping. That’s where most of the doctor shopping in the US stems from. There are certain things that will be a red flag to most doctors whether it be MSBP or addiction. 

Well, yes, but my point is that doctors can't just get your records from other doctors just because they want to see. Technically, none of us are required to give a new doctor permission to request records from other doctors. Most doctors will take you at your word on your medical history or that of your child/ward.

[JermajestyDuggar]

1 minute ago, Dreadcrumbs said:

Well, yes, but my point is that doctors can't just get your records from other doctors just because they want to see. Technically, none of us are required to give a new doctor permission to request records from other doctors. Most doctors will take you at your word on your medical history or that of your child/ward.

My point is that they only take you at your word if you don’t set off any red flags. No doctor would put in a G tube without checking into the child’s medical history. 

[Dreadcrumbs]

1 hour ago, JermajestyDuggar said:

My point is that they only take you at your word if you don’t set off any red flags. No doctor would put in a G tube without checking into the child’s medical history.  

I think the problem here is that there are doctors who might actually do this, they just need to be found via doctor shopping. Gypsy Rose Blanchard's case makes it really hard to believe that no doctor would ever do something so extreme without evidence to justify doing so, given that Gypsy ended up with a feeding tube.

Also, some doctors will do things just to get caregivers and patients to STFU if they're annoying enough.

 

Edited August 7, 2019 by Dreadcrumbs
additions

[Howl]

Yup, mom has a record with CPS since 2009, and (fortunately) has been taking this kid to the same place (Children's Medical Center in Dallas) for years, so they know what she's up to.  She apparently has also schlepped the kid around to different clinics in the area.  

Quote

Dr. Dakil writes in the affidavit that Children’s Medical Center at Dallas has been treating the child since infancy and the mother has expressed concern for multiple problems over the years including: epilepsy, sleep apnea, immunodeficiency and fevers, autism, behavioral problems, cerebral palsy, dysautonomia, developmental delays and problems with feeding and swallowing. Children’s Medical center says they have done exhaustive tests and evaluations that all returned as “normal”.

The docs wanted the kid admitted without the mom present.  Here's my take based on nothing in particular.  Medical staff are getting very suspicious of the mom and are thinking MBP; the gastro tube shopping was the last straw.  This is their opportunity get the kid admitted alone and all is going swimmingly -- mom isn't there, kid normalizes, gets healthier on a regular diet, no wheelchair, potty training proceeds apace, and I also suspect that the kid is eating like a horse and gaining weight, feeling good and acting normal, just like a regular little boy, etc.  Their suspicions are confirmed. Also, this kid is four and is just getting potty trained?  Eeeesh. 

Anyway, the homeschooling people are clutching pearls, indulging in histrionics and digging into their very deep pockets.  

Anybody know how many other kids there are in the family?  Is Drake the youngest?  Is there fundie crazy involved?  Mega family? 

 

[Dreadcrumbs]

22 minutes ago, Howl said:

Yup, mom has a record with CPS since 2009, and (fortunately) has been taking this kid to the same place (Children's Medical Center in Dallas) for years, so they know what she's up to.  She apparently has also schlepped the kid around to different clinics in the area. 

Nothing about this statement even shocks me. In cases of more common forms of child abuse, a family can be on CPS' radar for years, get visits and in-home interventions, but the child or children will remain in the home until something gives.

[AuntKrazy]

33 minutes ago, Howl said:

Anybody know how many other kids there are in the family?  Is Drake the youngest?  Is there fundie crazy involved?  Mega family? 

 

The picture that is up on the Texas Home School Coalition appears to have two other children, and Drake is sitting in a wheelchair in it, and this article mentions his two older siblings.

https://thsc.org/cps-illegally-removes-child/

THSC is overtly Christian and considers themselves a "ministry".  They also have a PAC.  They also apparently are part of the gag order in the case.  I have not been able to unearth beliefs of the parents; although the "CPS kidnap of child" accusation seems most rampant among fringe religious beliefs in the DFW area (imho/observation).

 

[hoipolloi]

The attorney who's heading the anti-CPS efforts calls this case (and other ones) "medical kidnapping."

 

[Howl]

Yeah, post on THSC fb page:

Quote

"Motherhood is central to the calling of women because it is central to the creational power that God has bestowed on us. This is our strength, this is our glory, and this is our true power. We make babies, and babies change the world."

 

[Briefly]

Was this the site that Kate Parker was part of?  Her son was Joshua, she was a prime example of MBP.  I think that this is where I saw her discussed first, but I'm not sure.  She was acquitted at trial which in my opinion was a huge mistake.  This sounds very similar.  It seems like it would be a little easier to hide a case of MBP if the mother (it usually is the mother, I think) is homeschooling.  Less outsiders to see the child/children and be suspicious.

 

[Glasgowghirl]

CPS are correct to remove this child, in cases like this you can't take chances, if the child is not being abused then the child can be returned. We don't want another dead child or another Gypsy Rose case happening. 

 

[AuntKrazy]

There is a writ of mandamus issue pending as an attempt to undermine CPS and their authority to act on behalf of children. It's scary how much children are being reduced to property-like status in these families. 

[Ozlsn]

On 8/8/2019 at 7:36 AM, Howl said:

Also, this kid is four and is just getting potty trained?  Eeeesh. 

Under more normal circumstances if the child was autistic that wouldn't necessarily be unusual. This child sounds like they may just not have been taught and/or were actively discouraged from learning.

It'll be interesting to see whether the autism diagnosis is legitimate.

[Four is Enough]

Had a child once, I suspected the mother of Munchausen's by proxy. Every question, she gave conflicting and confused answers. Every request for records was denied. Every time the heat was applied, there was a shift to a new physician or set of physicians... sometimes in another state. I've often wondered what happened to that child.

[AuntKrazy]

It seems like the court is continuing to uphold Drake's removal, and a who's who of NorthEast TX patriarchal homeschooling "christians" have waded into try to file a joint appeal:

http://www.gilmermirror.com/view/full_story/27660045/article-Coalition-of-Organizations--Lawmakers-File-Amicus-Briefs-Supporting-Pardo-Family?instance=home_news_bullets

[Howl]

If the kid is thriving in this protected situation, it pretty much outs the mother.   I notice that none of the "medical kidnap" people seem to care about the health status of the child.