An Act regarding the custody of Justina Pelletier.

WHEREAS, Lou and Linda Pelletier are the parents of Justina Pelletier and have provided a loving home for their children, all three being residents of the State of Connecticut; and;

WHEREAS Mr. & Mrs. Pelletier have in good faith and at the direction of the Chief of Metabolism at Tufts Medical Center spent several years treating their daughter for Mitochondrial disease and;

WHEREAS, for the last twelve months Justina Pelletier has been in the custody of the Department of Children and Families against the will of her parents, and her medical condition has deteriorated, and;

WHEREAS, the Department of Children and Families has a stated goal of strengthening the link between families, and government removing children from their parents should occur only in extreme cases where malicious intent, neglect, or the blatant inability to care for the child is present, and;

WHEREAS, there has been no finding of malicious intent or blatant inability of the Pelletiers to care for their daughter Justina, and;

WHEREAS, there are serious concerns about the removal of Justina Pelletier from the custody of her family and concerns over the process that led to the breaking up of this family, and concerns over her deteriorating health; THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED:

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the  Department of Children and Families shall immediately release Justina Pelletier from their custody to the sole custody of her parents.