Florida Judge Rejects DCF Bid to Intervene in Schiavo Case
A Florida judge ruled Thursday that a state social service agency cannot intervene to delay the scheduled removal of Terri Schiavo’s feeding tube that keeps her alive.
A Florida judge ruled Thursday that a state social service agency cannot intervene to delay the scheduled removal of Terri Schiavo’s feeding tube that keeps her alive.
Pinellas Court Judge George W. Greer, who two weeks ago set a March 18th date on the removal of Terri’s tube, denied the Department of Children & Families (DCF)’s request for a 60-day delay on his controversial decision. The agency said it needed time to investigate allegations of abuse and neglect against Terri’s husband, Michael, who is currently living with a girlfriend with whom he has fathered two children with.
In a hearing yesterday, the organization said it needs to investigate allegations that Michael denied Terri the correct medical treatment and therapy for several years and isolated her in her room with the blinds closed.
Get Our Latest News for FREE
"This is a heightened situation because we are talking about the life of Terri Schiavo," DCF attorney Kelly McKibben told Greer in the hearing, adding that she believes the court should not impede an agency investigation.
Greer, however, said the “allegations and many others had been investigated in the past and found to be groundless,” according to the Associated Press, and ruled that the agency’s eleventh hour attempt to get involved was inappropriate.
“[The investigation] appears to be brought for the purpose of circumventing the court's final judgment ... in violation of the separation of powers doctrine,” Greer said.
Thursday’s ruling dealt another big blow to Robert and Mary Schindler, the parents of Terri Schiavo who had been fighting against their son-in-law in court for nearly seven years to keep their daughter alive.
With such heavy losses at court, the Schindlers and other pro-lifers have placed their hopes in the legislative branch to protect Terri’s right to life.
The Schindlers plan to speak on the steps of the Florida state “old” capitol courtyard on Sunday, March 13, as part of the “Rose Rally for Terri” event. The Rose Rally, sponsored by the nation’s top pro-family and pro-life organizations, is expected to draw thousands of Terri’s supporters from across the nation; one thousand participants will hold long-stemmed red roses that will be delivered the next day to Florida lawmakers. Each of the roses will bear a note reading: “No food or water” to explain what will be done to Terri unless legislators intervene on her behalf.
