Judge dismisses neglect petition in cancer case

MARQUETTE, Mich. (AP) -- A judge has dismissed a state neglect petition that was brought against the parents of a 10-year-old Upper Peninsula boy after they refused to continue his cancer treatments. WLUC-TV and The Mining Journal of Marquette report that Marquette County Circuit Court Judge Thomas Solka on Wednesday issued the decision in the case against Erin and Kenneth Stieler. A trial had been expected early next year. Jacob is from Skandia, about 15 miles southeast of Marquette. He was diagnosed with Ewing's sarcoma but after a number of treatments was found to be cancer-free. His parents refused to continue chemotherapy and radiation treatments. His parents argued that further treatments were unnecessary. The boy's doctors said more treatments were needed. The state Department of Human Services took the case to court. Published: Fri, Dec 23, 2011