Teen with Leukemia taken from Canadian County mother amid medical negligence claims

A Canadian County mother’s 17-year-old son has been removed from her custody on accusations of medical negligence, a move that has drawn public protest from state lawmakers.

The teen, who is battling Leukemia, was taken into the care of the Department of Human Services (DHS) after they petitioned for a court order that was granted by a judge. The teen was hospitalized on Friday and has since undergone medical procedures.

Lawmakers and a family representative are now demanding the child be returned home to his mother, Dayna Mooney. According to state lawmakers, the DHS investigation was sparked after extended family members voiced disapproval of the teen’s current medical plan and notified DHS.

Over the weekend, lawmakers gathered outside OU Children’s Hospital in Oklahoma City, advocating for the return of the 17-year-old boy to his mother’s care.

“I met with a mom that’s being held prisoner with her 17-year-old autistic son,” said Oklahoma gubernatorial candidate Jake Merrick.

“This is a loving family with a child with healthcare issues, who has a number of health issues that the family has been diligently addressing and overcoming,” said Oklahoma Senator Shane Jett (R), Shawnee.

From the moment he was born, state lawmakers say Dayna has been her son’s biggest advocate.

“This kid is highly functioning, able to mow the lawn. and it’s not because he was neglected, it’s because his mother went and did all the research, partnered with all the health care professionals to make sure her baby had a chance at a real life and got it. And now all of that being said, is sabotage and undermined because doctors think they know better than the parents and think they have the right to overrule parents and DHS.

“It’s absolutely shocking that this could happen here in Oklahoma,” said Representative Jay Steagall. 

Under the care of a naturopathic doctor, healthy and happy, lawmakers say the teen’s treatment was halted by the state. Over the weekend, in the custody of DHS, the teen underwent chemotherapy and transfusions.

Lawmakers are rallying around the teen and his family, following cries of government overreach. Senator Shane Jett accuses DHS of stepping in to profit from the child’s care.

“Part of that problem is they get paid for every child that they bring into custody, and the longer they can prolong that, the longer and more days they get paid,” said Jett.

An emergency custody hearing was held Monday morning, lasting several hours. A gag order has been put in place, preventing anyone from disclosing the details of the court proceedings.

Despite the hearing, a family representative confirmed that the child remains out of his mother’s custody as he continues to undergo unwanted medical procedures.

An attorney for the Mooney family said,

“While I understand and agree with the importance of the protection children records, there needs to be a process to hold elected District Attorney’s and Judges accountable. This could be done by redaction or the release of case summaries to the public. Additionally, there are numerous allegations of DHS workers providing inaccurate information to the Court system. If there is not accountability for this practice via transparency in the system, there will never be significant change needed to protect Oklahoma families. If the public cannot be fully informed on the actions of their elected officials, they cannot make fully educated decisions at the ballot box. I will work with any legislator who wants to seek reform in this area.”

In a statement, DHS said,

“Oklahoma Human Services Child Protective Services is part of a larger child protection system that involves external law enforcement, District Attorneys, and the courts. Oklahoma Human Services does not have the authority to act independently.”