In Florida, a court hearing set for February 9, 2025, will decide the future of parental rights for Joy Zuraff, a single mother whose daughter, Kenlee, was removed from her care following a disagreement over the child's cystic fibrosis treatment. The case has garnered significant public attention, including on social media, with implications for parental rights and medical decision-making.
Kenlee, a six-year-old, was taken into state custody on March 6, 2024, after Zuraff declined to approve a medication carrying a black-box warning from the FDA due to concerns about life-threatening side effects. Zuraff has publicly described the situation as "medical kidnapping," asserting that her daughter endured multiple hospital transfers before being placed in a medical foster home located six hours away from her.
Zuraff spoke to Lindell TV, explaining the emotional toll this has taken on her family, stating, "I lost my medical rights as a parent in Florida. I have no medical rights, and I lost my daughter." The disagreement began when her doctor reported her to the Department of Children and Families (DCF) for refusing the drug. Zuraff contends that the state officials did not administer the medication in question until approximately three and a half months after Kenlee was placed in foster care.
Further, Zuraff has disproved claims of a history of mental illness or Munchausen by proxy, which she alleges have been brought against her. She also reports that while in foster care, her daughter was exposed to unsafe conditions, including black mold in a hospital room, and there were troubling incidents during supervised virtual visits. According to Zuraff, these concerns have not received appropriate attention in court proceedings.
DCF, while defending its actions, has remained largely silent on details, citing confidentiality laws. The agency has stated that the child is no longer in imminent danger. Alex Lanfranconi, communications director for Governor Ron DeSantis, acknowledged the inappropriateness of conduct shown in a video related to the case and assured it is being addressed. He also noted that the facts do not support the accusations made against the state's conduct.
Social media has played a significant role in publicizing the case. Videos and tweets have spread across platforms like Twitter, with users and advocates for parental rights and medical freedom using the case to highlight concerns about government overreach. In response to the ongoing legal and financial challenges, Zuraff initiated a fundraising campaign with We The Patriots USA, a nonprofit organization, to cover attorney fees and travel costs for visitation.
Local press coverage in Florida has mirrored the online discourse, framing the case within the broader debate over parental rights and child welfare oversight. The upcoming court hearing will be pivotal in determining whether Zuraff's parental rights are terminated, potentially leading to adoption proceedings in May.
