Truesee's Daily Wonder

Maryanne Godboldo, right, is embraced during a rally Saturday at Hartford Memorial Baptist Church in Detroit. Godboldo is facing charges including three counts each of assault with a dangerous weapon and resisting and obstructing a police officer. / ROB WIDDIS/Special to the Free Press

GINA DAMRON
DETROIT FREE PRESS STAFF WRITER

Her situation has sparked debate on hot-button issues: traditional medicine versus holistic treatments and state involvement in medical care of children.

Supporters said Maryanne Godboldo was a mother fighting for the right to control her daughter's medical treatment. Some even said the Detroit woman was defending her home from a perceived unlawful entry when police tried to break down doors to get her daughter.

Authorities, however, have accused Godboldo, 56, of firing a gun at police officers while they tried to carry out a court order to take her daughter. She is charged with several crimes as a result of the hours-long standoff last month, in which she barricaded herself and the 13-year-old in their home.

Her case has sparked an outpouring of community support, with hundreds rallying and raising money for her legal fees at a fund-raiser last weekend.

Godboldo will be back in Wayne County's juvenile court today. And on Friday, Godboldo is to appear in 36th District Court in Detroit in the criminal case.

A court order obtained by the Free Press shows Child Protective Services workers were authorized to take the girl into custody. The order, dated March 24, said Godboldo refused to give her daughter medicine for psychosis and was medically neglecting her.

"Mother is in denial about her daughter's mental health issue," the order said. Godboldo said her interactions with CPS date back about a year. She said she believes her daughter's problems began after a series of immunizations in 2009. She said she was weaning her daughter off a drug for psychosis in favor of holistic treatments.

Wayne County Circuit Judge Deborah Thomas -- who arrived on scene during the standoff and spoke to Godboldo by phone, helping to encourage her to come out of the home -- said Godboldo's daughter is a member of the disabilities community.

"She has rights attached to laws to protect people with disabilities," Thomas said. "We must protect children. We must protect their rights, also."

Michael Patterson, district manager with the Department of Human Services children's services administration in Wayne County, would not comment on Godboldo's case, but said failure to provide adequate medical care is considered child neglect.

During an investigation, he said, protective service investigators take many steps. Those include consulting with medical professionals serving the child and interviewing parents, other adults involved with the child's care and the child.

Removal is the last option, Patterson said.

"Our primary responsibility, or mission in child protection, is to identify children and families who are in need of services that will assist families with ensuring the care and well-being of their children," he said.

Don Duquette, a clinical professor of law who directs the child advocacy clinic at the University of Michigan, said parents have the right to determine what kind of medical treatment a child receives, unless the treatment is failing. Then, he said, it is up to the court.

"Parents are in the driver's seat unless a court, after proper process, suspends parental rights," Duquette said. "CPS just facilitates that."

The girl is being held in a treatment facility in Northville.

"I'm very anxious to get my daughter back," Godboldo said after a court hearing last week. "She's been away from me too long."

Special Response Team officers with the Detroit Police Department get in position near a home March 24. Godboldo is charged as a result of an hours-long