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Sam Penrod ReportingDaren Jensen: "The focus is Parker and we will continue to have him treated for what ails him."
In what's being called a 'final decision' a juvenile court judge rules Parker Jensen will not be forced to undergo chemotherapy, leaving the boy's cancer treatments in the hands of his parents.
13-year old Parker Jensen was diagnosed in May of having Ewing's sarcoma. His parents took him out of state in August, after a judge ordered him to begin the therapy. Kidnapping charges were filed against his parents, which began a two month ordeal and debate over parents’ rights that today reached a final conclusion.
Today's agreement comes after the judge met one on one with Parker last week. From that, the judge concluded that while he believes chemotherapy is in the boy's best interest, there is no practical way to force it on him.
Mark May, Assistant Attorney General: “We have a 13-year old boy who is adamant that he will not receive chemotherapy. As the judge said today, he believes the parents have poisoned his mind on this, and he wouldn’t change his opinion.”
Today's agreement requires the Jensens to continue their own choice of therapy and include a licensed physician in monitoring Parker's condition. His parents say Parker is as healthy as he has ever been.
Daren Jensen: "Parker is great, Parker has never felt better. He's happy and we go forward."
Barbara Jensen: "I'm excited to get back home. I'm excited to be a mom to my other four children as well."
State officials came to the agreement, but still insist Parker needs chemotherapy to fight a disease diagnosed by multiple doctors.
Mark May, Assistant Attorney General: "The overwhelming medical documentation out there is that the only successful treatment for Ewing's sarcoma is chemotherapy, and that's why we got involved."
For three months the Jensen's resisted chemotherapy for Parker, opting instead for alternative treatments. In August the state got a court order for chemotherapy, prompting Parker's parents to take him out of state. But after several weeks fighting to control the medical treatment of their son, the Jensen's are not calling today's deal a victory.
Daren Jensen: "The only person here that will win is parker when he grows to be 80-years old."
Of course what this entire case is about is the health of Parker Jensen. Unfortunately ensuring he is free from cancer cannot be settled in the courtroom and now only time will tell how his future will be affected by today's agreement.
