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Samantha Hayes reportingMolly McDonald, Guardian Ad Litem: : "THEY ARE MOVING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION. I WOULD AGREE TO ANYTHING THAT WOULD GET PARKER INTO SEE A PEDIATRIC ONCOLOGIST."
Following several days of intense negotiations, a compromise is reached in the legal battle over a 12-year old boy's cancer treatment.
Parker Jensen's parents fled Utah last month, rather than comply with court-ordered chemotherapy for their son.
Both sides met under tense circumstances. Without an agreement, the state may have taken custody of 12 year old Parker, and at anytime arrest warrants for his parents in Idaho could be reinstated.
In the end, the two sides say a step in the right direction was made.
Carol Sisco, Spokeswoman for Department of Human Services: "THE JENSEN'S SENT US A PROPOSAL AT 4.. IT FOCUSES ON TREATMENT FOR PARKER...ALL PARTIES FEEL ITS A VERY POSITIVE PROPOSAL"
The proposal grants the Jensens another medical evaluation from a pediatric oncologist approved by the state, but they will also be required to abide by whatever that doctor recommends.
Molly McDonald, Guardian Ad Litem: "PART OF THE AGREEMENT IS HE WILL UNDERGO STAGING. THAT MEANS HE WILL UNDERGO A BONE SCAN, HEAD SCAN, BLOOD TESTS AND THOSE TESTS ARE INTENDED TO SHOW WHETHER THE CANCER HAS METASTASIZED. ESSENTIALLY THEY ARE LOOKING FOR NEW TUMORS."
In May, a small growth in Parker's mouth tested positive for cancer cells. Hospitals in Salt Lake City, Los Angeles, and St. Louis confirmed Ewing's Sarcoma, but the family refused chemotherapy treatment.
State officials hope one last examination will convince them.
Molly McDonald, Guardian Ad Litem: "AND SO THE LONGER WE WAIT...EVERYDAY THAT PASSES IS A DAY THE CANCER COULD METASTASIZE AND THAT MEANS HIS CHANCES OF SURVIVAL COULD GO FROM 60 PERCENT TO 20 PERCENT."
Also at issue are kidnapping charges the Jensen's face for fleeing to Idaho.
If Parker starts a treatment that is agreeable to the State, the District Attorney's office says something could be worked out.
If not...
Angela Micklos, Salt Lake County District Attorney: "IF ALL THE NEGOTIATIONS FAIL BETWEEN ALL THE OTHER PARTIES THEN ULTIMATELY THE WARRANT WOULD BE BACK ON, AND THEN WE WOULD BE ASKING OTHER JURISDICTIONS TO PICK THEM UP."
The Juvenile Court judge set another hearing for Friday at four when the negotiations could wrap up.
