After over a month of medical examinations, evaluations, treatments and custody battles, Rachel Stout, a 10-year-old girl from Fort Worth, Texas, arrived at Duke Hospital Sunday afternoon to see if doctors could find an alternative to surgical treatment for her case of severe ulcerative colitis, an inflammatory disease of the colon of unknown cause.
Rachel first became the focus of a custody dispute Sept. 1 when her father, Steve Stout, removed her from the Children's Medical Center in Dallas, Texas, against her doctor's orders.
Dr. Robert Squires, Rachel's pediatric gastroenterologist, had recommended that she undergo surgery to remove her diseased colon. Steve Stout, who refused to authorize the surgery, flew with his daughter to Canada to seek treatment for her at the Toronto Hospital for Sick Children.
At the Toronto Hospital, Dr. Peter Durie attempted to improve Rachel's condition using laser treatments and aloe vera tonics. While undergoing therapy, however, Rachel developed a secondary infection.
After Canadian officials concerned with Rachel's welfare went to family court to obtain temporary custody of the child, Toronto Judge David Main ordered that the girl be returned to Texas. While Rachel was in Toronto, Child Protective Services in Fort Worth also went to court and was granted custody of the child, thereby obtaining the authority to make medical decisions for her.
In Tarrant County, Texas, doctors testified in court last week on behalf of CPS and said that Rachel's condition had become quite serious. Dr. Squires told District Judge Jean Boyd that the risk of Rachel dying from complications-such as a hemorrhage or a rupture-increases as surgery is continually delayed.
After continuing battles over who should have custody of Rachel, CPS officials and the girl's parents, Steve and Patricia Stout, agreed to share custody, said Richard Gladstone, Rachel's court-appointed attorney. Both parties agreed to fly Rachel to Duke Hospital for one final evaluation.
"It was clear that this was the last straw," Gladstone said. "The doctors here are very concerned about her colon, and they were frustrated that she wasn't getting the surgery she needed."
Under the terms of the agreement, Gladstone said, Rachel's parents will retain primary custody of her, but CPS officials would have the power to authorize surgery for the girl within 48 hours of a recommendation by a Duke doctor. Robin Kinder, a spokesperson for CPS, said they would be receiving copies of all reports, tests and evaluations conducted during Rachel's stay.
Rachel arrived at the Hospital Sunday afternoon in good condition and was checked into a regular acute care pediatric unit, said Karen Hinson, senior public relations specialist for the Medical Center news office.
While at the Hospital, Rachel will be evaluated by Dr. William Treem, director of the division of pediatric gastroenterology and nutrition and a specialist in ulcerative colitis.
Hinson said that Treem is not expected to issue his first recommendation for any course of treatment until Wednesday. "They'll be evaluating her condition for the next couple of days," she said.
The Dallas Morning News contributed to this story.
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