Making headlines this morning is a small pseudo-religious group known as the Nemenhah Band. This Missouri-based group along with their religious beliefs are currently keeping a young cancer-stricken Minnesota teen from receiving life-saving chemotherapy treatment. The 13-year-old boy, who has recently been diagnosed with lymphoma, a deadly yet highly treatable form of cancer, is being denied access by his parents who share the Nemenhah Band’s belief that only natural remedies will treat illness. Fortunately, the Brown County District Judge, John Rodenberg, disagrees.
In a court case held earlier today, Rodenberg overruled the parents’ religious objection and stated that the boy had been “medically neglected” and should be sent to CPS (child protection services) immediately — as well as undergo the necessary treatment. This is especially good news for young Daniel as doctors familiar with the case currently give him a 90% survival rate so long as he proceeds with the treatment, but without it they estimate that rate to decrease to 5%.
As to the Nemenhah Band themselves, they are new organization that hold beliefs similar to that of local Native Americans as well as the Mormon Church — although neither group recognizes the Nemenhah Band as a part of them. Their leader, Philip “Cloudpiler” Landis has a criminal past and spent a few months in jail several years ago for charges of fraud. After leaving jail he started the group which he allows others to join for a small fee of $250. To top it off, whenever members of the Nemenhah Band get sick they also have to pay Landis for the natural medicines too.
(Photo courtesy of the Minnesota Star Tribune)
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Comments
christine
May 15th, 2009 - 2:17:35 PM
Already charged with fraud? Jeez... where does this guy find people to join him? Ridiculous.
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james
May 15th, 2009 - 2:54:07 PM
Find stupid people is not hard. Gitting rid of them is the hard part.
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DFS
May 15th, 2009 - 3:42:08 PM
Thank god for this judge and the people who are protecting this child from his confused and stupid parents.
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Tammy
May 15th, 2009 - 4:36:53 PM
Maybe they should think about the other children in this family too. what if they are neglecting the education and medical treatment of their other kids. Im a Christian and believe God can heal you but if he has other plans for your life then so be it. But even I would take my children to doctors to give them the best possible chance for survival even if I had to sell everything I owned.
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Kelly
May 15th, 2009 - 4:57:35 PM
I agree that medical treatment should have been ordered, but did they have to take him away from his parents too? This kid is going through a life-threatening illness, and now he has to give up the only family he knows? Seems needlessly harsh.
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Paul
May 15th, 2009 - 5:53:22 PM
According to another article I read they only plan to take him away from his parents if they refuse to comply with the court ordered treatment. He gets to stay with them if they take him in for treatment.
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Tasha
May 19th, 2009 - 3:56:13 PM
The article also says that this 13 year old boy cannot read. Why is this?
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Nancy
May 20th, 2009 - 9:47:14 AM
He has been home schooled and never tested until now. It is sad that a mother's low self esteem and need for media attention could cost her the life of her son. How selfish!
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Phillip 'Cloudpiler' Landis
November 29th, 2009 - 8:03:55 PM
Danny Hauser update. Just a little correction for the record. The Hausers went to a qualified, licensed medical professional for their healthcare advice. The Nemenhah Band was neither sought nor offered any advice with regard to his cancer or his treatment. The "competent" doctors told the Judge that Danny would die if he did not complete eight rounds of chemotherapy. Yet, it was the doctors, not the parents that took him off the first round early because they were afraid the treatment might actually kill him. The Judge ruled that he had to complete the chemo, so he started a second round. But now he is not required to complete the course. Why? Because the competent doctors are afraid the treatment might kill him. The Judge has reversed his position on the chemo and will not require Danny to complete eight rounds. What has come of the controversy? The Hausers had to mortgage the farm (literally) in order to retain an attorney to defend their right to their beliefs. It's sad. But Danny was incompetent to decide what his religion and spiritual orientation ought to be. Cloudpiler
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