Arizona CPS on Trial in Federal Court – Will Justice Prevail?

Leanna Smith has been fighting the State of Arizona for several years for allegedly taking away her two daughters illegally in a massive medical cover-up and fraud case. Now she gets her day in federal court on Friday April 17th in the United States Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit in San Francisco. But will justice prevail? Leanna Smith has over 1700 audio recordings of alleged interviews with government and medical personnel in the case, which have been sealed. Why have these recording been sealed for so long in Arizona courts? Will they finally be released, and will Leanna Smith be able to present her case against the State of Arizona and medical authorities in federal court? Health Impact News has published the stories of several families who claim their children were medically kidnapped in Arizona. One of the most tragic stories we have published is the story of Leanna and Darrell Smith's two daughters, which perhaps most illustrates the depth of corruption that many families have reported exists in the Arizona "medical kidnapping" system. The Smith family was completely destroyed, as they lost 2 of their 3 children, and they have been embattled in years of legal proceedings. Now, their case will be heard outside of Arizona in the United States Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit.

Medical Kidnapping of Twins Reported in Michigan

WDIV in Detroit Michigan is reporting on a medical kidnapping in Novi Michigan (outskirts of Detroit). The parents of 5 children, including two premature baby twins, appeared in court today after police and CPS removed all 5 of their children from their home last night. Many members of their community turned to support the family, saying the children were being taken away from loving parents. Doctors found injured ribs on one of the twins, but the parents say it is a result of brittle bone disease. The mother was told to pump her breast milk because she can now only see her babies twice a week.

Teen Forced to Undergo Chemotherapy Denied Visitation with Mom, Must Stay in Hospital

Cassandra C., the Connecticut teen forced to undergo chemotherapy for Hodgkin's lymphoma, says she "hoped beyond hope" that a judge would let her leave the hospital where she has been legally required to stay since December. But on Wednesday, a Connecticut Superior Court judge ruled that the 17-year-old must remain at the Connecticut Children's Medical Center in Hartford under the temporary custody of the state's Department of Children and Families until she completes her court-ordered chemotherapy. The judge also denied visitation to her mother, Jackie Fortin. "I cried when I found out," Cassandra tells PEOPLE. "I'm just heartbroken right now. Why are they keeping me from my mom? It is really unnecessary. I want to be with my mom. I'm devastated." Cassandra has not seen or spoken to her mother since New Year's Day after DCF prohibited the teen from having any contact with her, she says.

Medical Kidnap in Georgia: Newborn Nursing Baby Seized at Hospital

Without identifying herself, the parents said, the social worker began interviewing Multari, asking about their parents, their relationship, their health. “Who are you?” Multari said she asked. “You best not get defensive,” Multari said the woman responded. The woman told her that if she cooperated, everything would be fine. Minutes later, while Multari was nursing the baby, a nurse came and took the newborn away.

Cleared of Criminal Charges, Yet Infant Taken Away from Family for Failure to Thrive

They kicked her out of the hospital and took her baby away from her over a month ago. She hasn't seen her since. They won't even tell her where her daughter is. Jamie Martin took her baby Hope to the hospital because she and the doctors were concerned about Hope not gaining weight, no matter what they tried. Instead of finding answers, she lost her baby and she is devastated. Now DHS of Oklahoma is trying to terminate Jamie's parental rights to her baby girl. "I have done nothing wrong to my baby. She is my miracle child. I need my daughter back!" Jamie Martin is the typical girl-next-door in America's heartland. She workes as a substitute teacher in her local elementary school. She volunteers and is on the board of a tornado disaster relief organization. Her 8 year old son was thrilled when he found out that he was going to be a big brother. Yet now Jamie has found herself in the middle of every parent's worst nightmare - her baby has been taken away from her.

Medical Kidnap? Mother Loses 3 Children Because “Daughter is Too Short”

It's true - Angela Borths' daughter is short. So is she - just under 5 feet tall. In fact, being short runs in the family. But that didn't stop her pediatrician from allegedly reporting her to Child Protection Services (CPS.) The petite mother has now had her 3 youngest children taken by the state of Oregon on grounds of "medical neglect," because her 6 year old daughter is short, and because she says she missed an appointment for her son when there was a 2 month lapse in their ObamaCare insurance. "I shouldn't have to defend my family for being short."

Breastfeeding 2-day Old Newborn Seized From Parents Because Mother Has Disability

A Florida couple is devastated. Child Protective Services just took their breastfeeding newborn from her mother's arms at the hospital. She was is not even two days old, but parents Tracey and Freddie Verzosa of Kissimmee, Florida will now only be able to visit their baby for feedings, under supervision. The accusations against them, according to the parents' story, boil down to the facts that Tracey is a slow learner, they are poor, and the baby was born too quickly for them to make it to the hospital. The Verzosas have 6 other children, and they have been fighting since last summer to get them back from DCF (Florida's Department of Children and Families.) They say that their other children were taken unjustly, and the children, who are divided between 3 different foster homes, cry and plead to come home whenever they see them.

Chicago Lurie Children’s Hospital Takes Baby Away From Family for Seeking a Second Opinion

When Lakisha Tanna's infant grandson was transferred to Lurie Children's Hospital in Chicago, Illinois, she thought that he was in the best place he could be to receive the care that he needed for his medical condition. She never dreamed that this choice would eventually result in her adorable grandchild being what she terms "medically kidnapped" more than a year later. On March 12, the family faces a hearing to determine whether Malik, now 2 1/2, will be able to return home to his grandparents who love him, or forever become a ward of the state of Illinois.

The Fight for Jaxon Adams Continues After He Was Taken by CPS When Parents Sought Second Opinion

As the Adams family continues to struggle to get their son back from the state of Missouri, they are reaching out to the public and to the media in the hope of exposing the tragic reality that far too many people are facing when they simply seek a second opinion or better medical care for their beloved child. The Adams family is yet another family that has fallen victim to the disturbing trend of “medical kidnapping” which is occurring across the United States. Medical kidnapping is a term used to describe children being taken into state custody after parents disagree with a course of treatment recommended by a doctor, or in the case of the Adams seeking a second opinion and/or a change in medical care. Upon being informed of the same, the physician then places a “hotline” call to child protective services and reports “medical abuse” by the parent.

Was Medical Kidnap in Washington State a Cover-up for Medical Malpractice?

Being worried about Child Protection Services (CPS) taking her child was the last thing on the mind of Anne Giroux, a mother living in Washington State who was seeking medical treatment for her son, Kevin Kulman. Kevin started having concerning symptoms which drove her to take him to multiple doctor visits looking for an answer. She worried about having a family history of heart disease and why the doctor wasn't concerned nor would he give her a referral to a cardiologist. Instead he was allegedly misdiagnosed as having asthma. On May 21, 2012 Kevin suffered a heart attack while at school during his physical education class. The explanation of why he suffered the heart attack was a rare congenital heart condition which had been previously undetected. Not only did Kevin need open heart surgery, but later CPS took custody of Kevin claiming that Anne suffered from Munchausen Syndrome by Proxy. Anne writes: "If a doctor performs an operation and prescribes drugs for my child based upon ME having Munchausen by proxy, what PSYCHIATRIC MALADY afflicts THE DOCTOR?"