In re Milton
Ohio Supreme Court
505 N.E.2d 255 (1987)
- Written by Angela Patrick, JD
Facts
Nancy Milton (defendant) was a psychiatric patient who suffered from delusions. Unrelated to her delusions, Milton believed in spiritual healing rather than medical treatment. When Milton was diagnosed with uterine cancer, she refused medical treatment. A petition was filed with a probate court seeking to have Milton declared incompetent and a guardianship established to force her to undergo medical treatment for her cancer. At the hearing on the petition, Milton’s treating doctor testified that Milton’s religious beliefs about spiritual healing were her sincerely held religious beliefs and not related to her mental illness. The probate court ruled that a guardianship compelling Milton to receive medical treatment was appropriate, and the appellate court affirmed the ruling. Milton appealed to the Ohio Supreme Court, arguing that she could not be compelled to undergo medical treatment that violated her personal religious beliefs.
Rule of Law
Issue
Holding and Reasoning (Wright, J.)
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