Judge orders independent look at Justina Pelletier’s medical controversy

WEST HARTFORD — After nearly a year of forced separation from her family, Justina Pelletier, 15, was barred from going home with her family to their West Hartford home for Christmas this year. A postponement in a ruling has ensured the family’s legal battles will continue through the holidays.

Judge Joseph Johnston, recently postponed his final custody decision until Jan. 10, leaving the teen in the state custody in Massachusetts, but also appointed an independent investigator to take a new look at her case.

“I don’t understand how they can do this. I didn’t do anything wrong,” her mother, Linda Pelletier, said as she left the courtroom, sobbing, according to a report published by The Boston Globe.

Judge Joseph Johnston appointed a new guardian ad litem — who is required under state law to take an “objective and even-handed” look at the facts in the case, according to the Globe’s report.

The parents accused the hospital and the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families of virtually kidnapping their daughter, and ignoring the medical advice of Dr. Mark Korson, the chief of metabolism at Tufts Medical Center. Korson had given Justina a working diagnosis of mitochondrial disorder over the past year.

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Judge orders independent look at Justina Pelletier’s medical controversy

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Judge Orders West Hartford Girl To Remain In Mass. State Custody