Massachusetts May Finally Allow Justina Pelletier to Return Home

National   |   Steven Ertelt   |   Jun 9, 2014   |   11:21AM   |   Boston, MA

After a long legal battle between her family and state officials, Massachusetts may finally have agreed to allow Justina Pelletier to return home  to her parents.

On Friday, the Massachusetts Health and Human Services (HHS) filed a motion for review of reconsideration and dismissal in the case of Justina Pelletier. This action follows Liberty Counsel’s motion to return Justina home.

justinapelletier15The pro-life legal group tells LifeNews the motion indicates that HHS is in agreement to return the custody of Justina to her parents and said it anticipates a court order from Judge Johnson in the near future releasing Justina into the custody of her parents, Lou and Linda Pelletier.

“We are thrilled that Justina will soon be returning home,” said Mat Staver, Founder and Chairman of Liberty Counsel.

“The family is thankful for everyone’s prayers and support. Since coming on this case in late-February, we have worked day and night and throughout the weekends to free Justina. The family looks forward to putting this 16-month nightmare behind them. It is hard to express the joy that the Pelletier family is experiencing as they look forward to being reunited as a family,” Staver concluded.

The case is drawing national attention, as Boston Children’s Hospital filed a “medical child abuse” complaint against Justina’s parents last year, leading the state to take custody of her and hospitalize her for almost a year.

The motion comes aweeks after Pelletier, the teen at the center of a legal battle between the Pelletier family and Boston Children’s Hospital over custody and proper medical treatment, received a surprise 16th birthday party from her friends over the weekend.

The Pelletiers have been visiting frequently with Justina in Connecticut since she was moved there two weeks ago. Justina has been receiving treatment from Tufts Medical Center, the same place she received treatment before this long ordeal began in February 2013. The Pelletier family and their legal counsel have communicated frequently with high-level officials of Massachusetts Health and Human Services (HHS) and DCF. Their attorneys have been in regular communication reviewing the progress of the Reunification Plan.

“In light of the significant developments over the past several weeks, today a critically important motion will be filed with the Juvenile Court requesting Relief from Judgment to return Justina to her family and her home. DCF has stated it will not oppose this motion. We are pleased that Justina is close to returning home. We believe and pray that day will be soon,” said Staver.

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“After nearly 16 months of separation, Justina requires much healing – physically, emotionally, and spiritually,” said Staver. “The completion of the Plan is a very positive development and brings us almost full circle to where this process started, before DCF took custody of Justina: Tufts Medical Center is finally providing Justina’s healthcare once more,” said Staver.

The tragic case has been dragging on for well over a year as pro-life groups have complained about how she has been denied education, religious services or clergy visit, and has had abysmal medical care while in the custody of the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families (DCF).

The situation has improved somewhat following her transfer to Connecticut that her friends were able to spend time with her — for the first time in over a year.