Joslyn Sanders
Joslyn Sanders, a mother from Corinth, Texas, is embroiled in a heart-wrenching custody battle concerning her 2-year-old son. Accused by Child Protective Services (CPS) of neglect due to abuse, Sanders’s case has sparked significant attention and debate.
What Started The Allegations?
The allegations against Joslyn Sanders began to unfold following a series of concerning medical incidents involving her young son. Initially, the situation came to light when Sanders’ son exhibited severe health symptoms that necessitated medical attention.
Notably, in March 2023, and again in December 2023, Sanders sought help from Children’s Medical Center in Dallas. It was during these visits that the medical staff observed alarming signs in the child, including a widespread rash covering his body, swollen extremities, and a significant loss of hair. These symptoms were not just superficial but indicative of a deeper, more severe underlying condition – severe malnutrition, as determined by the healthcare professionals at Children’s.
She Worried About An Allergic Reaction
Sanders, however, saw her son’s health issues differently. She attributed the medical problems to contact dermatitis, believing it was a reaction to a new laundry detergent, and to complications that arose after she stopped breastfeeding. Sanders also had reservations about the prescribed antibiotics, clindamycin and Keflex. She was concerned about the potential adverse side effects of clindamycin and had a personal allergy to Keflex. Consequently, she left the hospital in search of alternative treatments and a second medical opinion. These actions would later be scrutinized and interpreted as neglect.
The turning point came when, after leaving the Children’s emergency room on December 20, 2023, Child Protective Services (CPS) intervened. By the following afternoon, CPS workers, armed with a court order, arrived at Sanders’ residence to take the child back to Children’s Medical Center. From this point on, Sanders was denied access to her son, who then underwent more than two months of treatment, including the administration of the contested antibiotic, clindamycin, via IV.
The stark contrast between the medical staff’s diagnosis of severe malnutrition and Sanders’ account of her son’s health issues laid the foundation for the allegations of neglect. The case has since evolved into a complex legal and medical battle, with Sanders fighting to regain custody and prove her capability as a mother, while the medical and child welfare authorities advocate for the child’s safety and well-being based on their assessments.
Child Protective Services Stepped In
Healthcare professionals at Children’s Medical Center in Dallas seem to have initiated the child protective services case against Joslyn Sanders following her departure from the hospital against medical advice.
The decision to leave the hospital not once, but twice, against medical advice, particularly during the visit in December 2023 when the boy’s condition seemed dire, prompted the hospital staff to take further action. Concerned for the child’s well-being and considering the risk of infection, sepsis, and even death due to the severity of the malnutrition, the medical professionals at Children’s Medical Center felt compelled to alert child protective services.
Child protective services, upon receiving the report and assessing the situation, decided to intervene by taking the child under a court order. This intervention led to the child being brought back to Children’s Medical Center for treatment, which lasted more than two months. During this time, Sanders was denied access to her son, amplifying the gravity of the situation and setting the stage for the ensuing legal battle over custody and the allegations of neglect. The case highlights the complex interplay between parental rights, medical recommendations, and the role of protective services in safeguarding children’s welfare.
How The Court Proceedings Went
In the court case involving Joslyn Sanders, a mother from Corinth, Texas, accused of neglecting her 2-year-old son, the defense employs multifaceted strategies to challenge the allegations brought forward by Child Protective Services (CPS). Sanders faces accusations of severe negligence, which allegedly led to her son’s malnutrition. Medical professionals at Children’s Medical Center in Dallas highlighted distressing symptoms, including a rash, swollen limbs, and significant hair loss, claiming these were the result of starvation and malnutrition.
Health Complications Not Neglect
In her defense, Sanders and her legal team have adopted several strategies to counter these serious accusations. Firstly, Sanders has contested the hospital’s medical diagnosis, suggesting that her son’s health issues were not due to neglect but rather stemmed from contact dermatitis and complications that arose after she stopped breastfeeding. This argument aims to shift the narrative from neglect to a series of unfortunate health complications that medical professionals misunderstood.
The Right To A Second Opinion
Furthermore, Sanders raised concerns about the antibiotics recommended by the doctors at Children’s Medical Center, specifically clindamycin and Keflex. She expressed reluctance to use these antibiotics due to the potential severe side effects of clindamycin and her personal allergy to Keflex. Sanders’s defense argues that she did not act negligently; instead, she made informed decisions in the best interest of her son’s health by seeking alternative treatments and second opinions rather than outright rejecting medical advice.
Pediatrics Suggested A Different Diagnosis
Testimonies from medical professionals outside the CPS narrative have also played a crucial role in Sanders’s defense. Dr. Randy Naidoo of Shine Pediatrics, where Sanders initially sought care for her son, provided a contrasting medical opinion. He suggested that low zinc levels and difficulties transitioning from breastfeeding, rather than outright neglect, could explain the child’s health issues. This testimony aims to introduce doubt about the CPS’s narrative and suggest that Sanders actively sought solutions for her son’s health problems.
Additionally, Sanders’s defense highlights her personal circumstances, particularly her status as a paraplegic who overcame significant odds to conceive and give birth, to underline her commitment to her son’s well-being. They paint a picture of a determined mother, willing to explore all avenues for her son’s health, contrary to the allegations of neglect.
Sanders’s defense strategy is a comprehensive effort to dismantle the CPS’s allegations, portraying her not as a neglectful mother but as a concerned parent navigating challenging medical circumstances. As the case unfolds, these defense strategies aim to shift perceptions and ultimately influence the court’s decision regarding custody and allegations of neglect.
CPS Did Not Follow Protocol
The custody battle between Joslyn Sanders and her 2-year-old son, overseen by Child Protective Services (CPS), involves a series of complex legal maneuvers and contentions. Examining the potential missteps by CPS workers brings several key aspects to the forefront.
The defense questions the adherence to protocols and guidelines by CPS workers. They scrutinize how the case was documented, the interaction with medical professionals, and the subsequent legal actions taken. The defense suggests that deviations from standard practices or misinterpretations of Sanders’ actions and her son’s medical needs could have significantly impacted the course of the case.
CPS Workers Made Inaccurate Reports And Mistakes
A CPS employee acknowledged in court that they did not include information provided by Josiah’s family in the report was significant. This omission raises questions about the comprehensiveness and accuracy of the assessments that inform such drastic measures as emergency removals. It underscores the importance of thorough documentation and consideration of all relevant information, including the perspectives and explanations provided by the family, which can offer vital context and insight into the situation at hand.
The fact that they were a new CPS employee tasked with conducting an emergency removal adds another layer to the discussion. The pressure to act swiftly, especially when informed by medical professionals from a reputable institution like Children’s Dallas, can be immense. The medical professionals’ insistence on the potential danger to the boy’s life if he did not receive immediate hospital care underscores the gravity of the situation Wachsman was faced with.
This scenario illustrates the delicate balance CPS workers must maintain between acting urgently to protect a child’s welfare and ensuring that such actions are based on a holistic and accurate understanding of the circumstances.
CPS Workers Did Not Properly Follow The Guidelines
The revelation that the CPS employee initially told the family that they had a court order when they did not raise critical questions about the protocols and communication strategies employed during such emergency interventions. While state law may not require a court order for emergency removals if the child’s immediate safety is believed to be at risk, the invocation of such an order when it does not exist can severely undermine the trust between families and CPS. This action could be perceived as an overreach or misuse of authority, potentially exacerbating an already tense and fraught situation.
An Audio Recording Used As Evidence
The audio recording of the interaction, capturing the family’s intent to return Josiah to his primary care provider and their willingness to seek medical attention, albeit at a different location than initially demanded by CPS, underscores the family’s commitment to Josiah’s well-being. It also brings to the fore the critical importance of clear, accurate, and transparent communication in such situations. Miscommunications or misunderstandings, especially about something as critical as the location for medical care, can significantly impact the decisions made and the outcomes for the child and family involved.
The Testimonies Of Doctors
These testimonies offer a window into the medical complexities of the case, the differing opinions among healthcare providers, and the impact of these professional insights on the legal decision-making process.
Dallas Medical Center
A key figure in the court was Dr. Suzanne Dakil, a pediatrician from UT Southwestern, who testified about the severe nature of the boy’s condition. According to Dr. Dakil, the child suffered from protein-calorie malnutrition, a serious health issue that, without appropriate intervention, could have led to fatal outcomes. Her testimony underscored the gravity of the situation, suggesting that the child was in dire need of medical care to address his malnutrition, which was perceived as a direct consequence of neglect.
The Primary Pediatric
Contrastingly, Dr. Randy Naidoo of Shine Pediatrics presented a different perspective. Dr. Naidoo testified that he believed the child’s medical issues, including low zinc levels and eating difficulties, had emerged after breastfeeding had ceased. And was a case of eating transitioning rather than being a result of intentional neglect by Sanders.
His testimony introduced an alternative interpretation of the child’s health problems, attributing them to nutritional challenges and possible dietary transitions rather than outright neglect. Dr. Naidoo’s insights hinted at the complexity of diagnosing and treating pediatric nutritional issues, especially in the context of a contentious custody battle.
These conflicting medical testimonies highlight the intricate interplay between healthcare and legal systems when child welfare is in question. The court must navigate these differing expert opinions to ascertain the truth and make decisions in the best interest of the child. The testimonies not only reflect the complexities of medical science but also the profound responsibility borne by medical professionals in legal contexts, where their expert opinions can significantly influence the outcomes for families involved in CPS cases. This situation illustrates the challenges courts face in disentangling medical facts from interpretations, especially in cases where the welfare of a child is at stake and the line between medical issues and alleged neglect becomes blurred.
Need Help? Call Us Now!
Do not forget that when you or anyone you know is facing a criminal charge, you have us, the Law Office of Bryan Fagan, by your side to help you build the best defense case for you. We will work and be in your best interest for you and we will obtain the best possible outcome that can benefit you.
Our team is here to explain your trial, guiding you through the criminal justice process with clarity and support every step of the way. If you’re navigating the complexities of criminal charges and the court system seems daunting, reach out.
Therefore, do not hesitate to call us if you find yourself or someone you know that is facing criminal charges unsure about the court system. We will work with you to give you the best type of defense that can help you solve your case. It is vital to have someone explain the result of the charge to you and guide you in the best possible way.
Here at the Law Office of Bryan Fagan, our professional and knowledgeable criminal law attorneys build a defense case that suits your needs, aiming for the best possible outcome to benefit you.
Also, here at the Law Office of Bryan Fagan, you are given a free consultation at your convenience. You may choose to have your appointment via Zoom, google meet, email, or an in-person appointment; and we will provide you with as much advice and information as possible so you can have the best possible result in your case.
Call us now at (281) 810-9760.
Other Related Articles
How Does CPS Decide Whether to Open a Case?
Does CPS Get Involved in Domestic Violence Cases in Texas?
What Are the Steps of a CPS Investigation?
What Does Texas CPS Look for in a Home?
How to Prepare for a CPS Interview in Texas: A Comprehensive Step-By-Step Guide
Rare Trial On Jennifer Crumbly Is Unexpected
Dexter Wade: A Mother’s Journey To Finding The Truth
How Can I Leave Money To My Son But Not His Wife?
High-Profile Divorces in Texas the Lessons from Deion Sanders’ Case
Legal Lessons from Deion and Pilar Sanders’ Divorce
FAQs about the Joslyn Sanders Case
Select a question from the dropdown below to reveal the answer:
Hey there! My name is Olivia Ramirez, I graduated from Sam Houston State University with a bachelor’s of science in Psychology. I can’t help but scour the web for crime news and interesting stories. I write mostly true crime, anything from white collar crimes to the tragic murders across America. I try to mix in local news updates with big hitting scandals.
When I’m not typing away or searching for crime news, you’ll find me in bookstores looking for the new books to add to my backlog. Hanging out with my family or just relaxing with some cozy games to unwind from the day.
