Parents fight to stop cancer treatment

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) - 10-year-old Jacob Stieler likes to shoot arrows for target practice or watch a good match on the football field. The one challenge he wasn't up for was the one in the hospital.

In March, Jacob was diagnosed with Ewing sarcoma, a rare form of cancer. He underwent three months of chemotherapy.

"In the hospital, I couldn't imagine anything worse. It was horrible," said Jacob.

Jacob got so sick that he told his parents he wanted to die. His mother, Erin, said that after two pet scans showed no signs of cancer, she and her husband decided Jacob would stop chemotherapy.

"He was sick. He was nauseous. He was extremely depressed. He told me numerous times that he wished he'd fall asleep and never wake up, " said Erin.

Target 8 obtained court documents showing that doctors with Helen DeVos Children's Hospital insisted Jacob still needs treatment. One wrote, "If Jacob does not continue treatment he will die." Another wrote that "without treatment it is a death sentence and Jacob's cancer will come back with a vengeance."

Target 8 also discovered that DeVos Children's Hospital contacted a Children's Protective Services investigator.

In a letter to DHS, a hospital official wrote, "Jacob's mother's refusal of standard cancer care represents a clear case of Medical Neglect." Now the State of Michigan is taking Jacob's parents to court.

"If the parents are reasonable people, then the parents should be the ones who make the medical decision for the child," said Paul Marin, attorney for the Stieler family.

DeVos Children's Hospital officials won't comment on specific patients or court cases, but spokesperson Anne Veltema released this statement:

"Helen DeVos Children's Hospital physicians, nurses and staff are advocates for children. We involve patients and families in treatment plans and care decisions during their health care experience."

Erin Stieler said Jacob sees a doctor regularly and will continue getting pet scans. She said should a scan show cancer, they will decide on treatment as a family.

The Stielers head to Marquette County Probate Court on Dec. 5. Erin is worried that is when the State will force Jacob to continue treatment: What she calls "putting poison" in his body.