Mom charged with failure in followup treatments of son’s ‘Highly Curable’ Cancer

By Phy • July 3rd, 2008

A 36-year-old mother has been charged with child endangerment for allegedly failing to see that her 8-year-old son got follow-up treatment for his “highly curable” cancer.

The boy was being treated at Massachusetts General Hospital and had up to 92 percent chance of survival in 2006, his father told ABC News, adding, “the doctor told Mom charged with failure in followup treatments of son’s ‘Highly Curable’ Cancer me she had called the pharmacy, and they said there was no record of Kristen picking up any medication, and she missed four chemo appointments and rescheduled 12 others, delaying his treatment.” The news however failed to report why the mother didn’t follow up with the outpatient chemotherapy.

Doctors said his survival chance is now something like 10 percent. He might not make it to his 9th birthday, just a few weeks to go, the boy’s dad told reporters.

Kristen Labrie, the mother, was pleaded not guilty, though, by Salem District Court and therefore released on her own recognizance and ordered to have no contact with her son awaiting further notice.

Dr. Kara Kelly of Columbia University Medical Center, who is not involved in the case, says some parents have trouble complying with recommended treatment for their children. “I think it’s sometimes not being able to face reality,” she tells the network. “Parents sometimes are young or overwhelmed with financial issues.”