Justina Pelletier of West Hartford CT was just 14 years old when her life would change forever. She was baking Valentines cookies with her mother when a team of officers showed up at her home, and took her to The Boston Children’s Hospital where they admitted her to the psychiatric ward. She would spend the next 9 months with restricted access to her family. Only 20 minutes a week of phone calls with her mother, and an hour of visitation. During the phone calls, if Pelletier’s mother asked about how she was feeling, the call would be disconnected by the staff.
What led to her unexpected stay in the psychiatric ward, was a visit to the emergency room at Boston Children’s Hospital 4 days prior with severe stomach pain and dehydration. As a result, doctors disagreed on the reason for Pelletier’s condition. The physicians suspected some form of abuse, and subsequently, the Department of Children and Families was called to take protective action of the teen after a claim was filed against the parents for Munchausen syndrome by proxy, a psychological disorder marked by attention-seeking behavior by a caregiver through those who are in their care.
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It was suspected by Pelletier’s parents that she suffered from mitochondrial disease, and is now back with her parents receiving treatment for the disease under the care of a doctor in Connecticut. She has shown marked improvement in her health over the last few years.
It will be determined by the court whether Boston’s Children Hospital staff will be found guilty of being charged with malpractice and violating Pelletier’s parent’s rights.
Follow this story for a verdict on this case.