American couple loses custody of child following cancer refusal



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The son of Taylor Bland-Ball and Joshua McAdams, Noah, was diagnosed with cancer in AprilCopyright of the image
Taylor Bland-Ball

Legend

The son of Taylor Bland-Ball and Joshua McAdams was diagnosed with cancer in April

In Florida, a four-year-old boy with cancer was sentenced to live with his grandmother after his parents prevented him from taking chemotherapy.

The custody decision handed down on Monday against parents Taylor Bland and Joshua McAdams came after their alternative treatment offer drew national attention.

The boy was abducted from his parents in April after they had dropped out of chemotherapy and left the state.

The parents are "clearly devastated," their lawyer told the US media.

"Noah is having an absolutely traumatic medical experience and he does it without his parents," said lawyer Brooke Elvington.

After the boy, not named by the BBC, was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia in April, his parents decided to treat him with cannabis, oxygen therapy, medicinal herbs and alkaline water.

Medical cannabis is legal in Florida.

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In May, they lost custody after skipping a chemotherapy session and "refused to take life-saving medical care," police said.

They were found in Kentucky after a hunt in several states. The boy was ordered to live with his grandmother and receive standard medical treatment.

On Monday, Hillsborough County District Court Judge, Judge Thomas Palermo, said that the child would be exposed to "a significant risk of imminent neglect" when he was returned to his parents.

Copyright of the image
Taylor Bland-Ball

Keeping the boy in the custody of his maternal grandmother "is the only way to ensure Noah's health, safety and well-being," NBC News reported.

Chemotherapy is often associated with debilitating side effects, but many types of modern chemotherapy cause only mild problems.

According to the St Jude Children's Research Hospital, approximately 98% of children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia enter remission a few weeks after the start of treatment, and about 90% of child patients end up being cured.

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Counsel for Ms. Bland and Mr. McAdams testified that the couple were planning to appeal.

"Noah is at home with his parents," she said.

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