In re Cassandra C.
Connecticut Supreme Court
112 A.3d 158 (2015)
- Written by Caitlinn Raimo, JD
Facts
Cassandra C., a 16-year-old girl, was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Her physicians advised that she needed to begin chemotherapy treatments. Throughout the process of diagnosing Cassandra and afterward, Cassandra and her mother (defendant) missed several scheduled appointments and were difficult to contact. Cassandra’s mother was hostile and distrustful in her conversations with doctors, sought numerous additional opinions, and expressed doubt that Cassandra had cancer. Weeks passed, and treatment had still not begun. Cassandra’s doctors contacted the Department of Children and Families (the department) (plaintiff) due to their concern that the delay in treatment would have life-threatening consequences for Cassandra. An investigator spoke with Cassandra’s mother, who was unwilling to cooperate. The department filed a neglect petition, contending that Cassandra’s mother had failed to meet Cassandra’s medical needs. Cassandra was placed in the temporary custody of the state and brought to a hospital for evaluation. Cassandra was anxious and concerned about angering her mother. The court permitted Cassandra to return home if she agreed to begin chemotherapy immediately, which she did. After two treatments, Cassandra ran away from home, in violation of the court’s order. When she returned five days later, she indicated that she was not willing to undergo further treatments and had only agreed to them so that she would be allowed to return home. The department moved to reopen the case. Cassandra’s oncologist, Dr. Michael Isakoff, testified that Cassandra was not competent to make her own medical decisions and had placed her health in danger by beginning chemotherapy and then abruptly stopping treatments, which increased the risk that the cancer would become resistant. The hearing court found that Cassandra’s mother did not believe Cassandra had cancer or needed chemotherapy and ordered Cassandra to be placed in the custody of the department, which would make her medical decisions. Cassandra’s mother appealed.
Rule of Law
Issue
Holding and Reasoning (Rogers, J.)
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