There were dramatic new developments Wednesday in the case of West Hartford teenager, Justina Pelletier, that could pave the way for her release from Massachusetts State custody.
Justina Pelletier’s next hearing is slated for March 17, but a group of Massachusetts lawmakers is pushing for an immediate release.
According to Mass. State Representative Marc Lombardo, as of 5pm Wednesday, he and Rep. Jim Lyons had 12 representatives backing a resolution that would start the process of releasing Justina Pelletier to her parents right away.
Rep. Lombardo will raise the resolution at the next House of Representatives session, which is scheduled for March 5.
“The Pelletier case is a dispute between conflicting medical opinions… the decision on which medical treatment to adopt should rest with the parents, not with DCF. The Department’s heavy-handed, unjustified interference with the rights of these parents is an example of what is wrong with this agency,” said Rep. Jim Lyons (R-Andover).
Also Wednesday, newly minted Pelletier family spokesman, Rev. Patrick Mahoney, of the Christian Defense Coalition, said Justina will not be going to the foster care facility in Merrimac, Massachusetts as ordered by a judge Monday.
Instead, Justina will remain at the Wayside Youth and Family Support Network in Framingham, where she’s been since January, after spending more than 11 months in Boston Children’s Hospital.
Rev. Mahoney confirmed that a peaceful vigil will be held near the Wayside facility on Saturday at noon in Framingham.
He stressed that it will not be on Wayside’s property and said residents of the facility will not be able to see those at the vigil.
Rev. Mahoney said he’s already met with the Framingham, Mass. Police Department to inform them of the plans.
So far more than 100 people have pledged attendance on a Facebook page.
To learn more about the saga involving this Connecticut girl, head to our story page where you will find all of Fox CT’s reports on the case since November.