Amish girl no longer forced to resume chemotherapy

Guardian Seeks to Withdraw from Overseeing Amish Child’s Court Ordered Chemotherapy

On October 1, 2013, an appeals court appointed Attorney and Nurse Maria Schimer as a guardian for Sarah Hershberger.

Sarah is an eleven year old Amish girl who was diagnosed with a treatable form of leukemia. Medical professionals at Akron Children’s Hospital had estimated that Sarah had a high chance of surviving the disease with chemotherapy, but she would most likely die within a year if treatment was stopped.

Despite these recommendations, Sarah’s parents stopped chemotherapy in June 2013, stating the treatment was making Sarah ill. According to her parents, Sarah had begged them to stop the treatment, and the decision was not based on their religious believes.

The October ruling stated that the state’s obligation to protect Sarah overruled her parent’s desire to treat Sarah with vitamins and natural remedies, and Schimer was appointed to oversee Sarah’s chemotherapy treatment; however, Schimer is now moving to withdraw from the case. Schimer has advised that she has been unable to locate Sarah or her parents.

Without being able to monitor Sarah’s health, Schimer does not feel she can fulfill her obligations as Sarah’s guardian. Schimer’s withdrawal is pending court approval.

On The Web:

Ohio Amish Girl Won’t Be Forced to Have Chemo
http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/ap-ohio-amish-girl-forced-chemo-21128142

http://abclocal.go.com/wls/story?section=news/national_world&id=9351894

http://www.nydailynews.com/life-style/health/medical-guardian-drops-bid-force-chemo-treatments-amish-girl-article-1.1540367