A Kansas City mom who has been battling the state of Illinois to bring her son back home will have to continue her struggle. A judge in Chicago recently ruled that Michelle Rider’s only child, Isaiah, must remain in Illinois foster care for the time being. The judge found medical testimony presented thus far persuasive and credible in demonstrating Rider interfered with Isaiah’s treatment, subjecting him to unnecessary medical care.
Michelle Rider’s journey began when she took Isaiah, a 16 year old, to Chicago, Illinois earlier this year for treatment of a genetic condition known as neurofibromatosis. This condition causes tumors to develop on nerves throughout the body. Isaiah had suffered from a chronic medical history since he injured his leg at the age of six.
In mid-April, Rider discussed transferring her son Isaiah from Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital to a hospital in another state. That’s when the hospital reported Michelle Rider for medical child abuse, according to Rider. Her son was placed in temporary protective custody.
The hospital’s allegations included: Rider did not agree with the doctor’s advice. She moved her son from hospital to hospital in several different states. She also insisted her son, who had part of his leg amputated in 2012, be provided with pain medication, though nurses claimed the pain subsided when his mother was not around.
Ever since her only child was placed in protective custody, Michelle Rider has been fighting to bring him back to Kansas City, where he attends high school, has a girlfriend, and works at a local restaurant.
Despite Rider’s and Isaiah’s pleas, the Chicago courtroom judge has ordered the teen remain in foster care in Illinois until protective custody can be transferred back to Missouri. Isaiah has released a public video explaining his own confusion over recent events. He describes waking up in the hospital surrounded by a bunch of doctors who stated he could not see his mother anymore. Isaiah expressed dismay as his mother has been there for him since day one assisting with his medical issues. Isaiah pleads in the video to be allowed to go back home to Kansas City.
Michelle Rider’s case is troubling as the evidence presented thus far to the public does not appear to rise to the level of any sort of abuse, yet the court has found otherwise. Though it seems likely Rider will receive custody of her child back in the near future, the entire ordeal has left both mother and son traumatized, and captured much media attention. Rider’s case highlights the many custody issues that can affect parents who face any charges of abuse, be it medical abuse or otherwise.
Any parent in a position similar to Rider’s, who faces potential loss of custody of their child, should act fast to secure the representation of an experienced family law attorney who will mount a successful case to reunite parent and child.
McDowell Chartered: Veteran Family Law Attorneys Prepared to Tackle Any Custody Issue
Facing the potential loss of custody of your child is frightening and often confusing. You, like Michelle Rider, may not understand why you are being separated from your child, how you can get custody back, and when the entire ordeal will end. The experienced Kansas Family Law Attorneys at McDowell Chartered understand what it takes to successfully navigate a complex custody battle. We are here to fight for you and your family. Call us today at (316) 269-0746 to schedule an initial consultation with one of our professional family law staff.
