Israel Matzav

Court orders hospital to let Baby Adele stay

In an earlier post, I reported that the Levenstein long-term care hospital wanted to send 3-year old terror victim Adele Biton home, and that her parents say that they are not yet able to care for her at home. On Thursday, a Kfar Saba Magistrates court ordered the hospital to keep Baby Adele, at least for now.

During the court discussion, Adva Biton, the toddler's mother, explained the course of events leading to her daughter's debilitating condition; she is still only partially conscious. Adele miraculously pulled through and survived despite life-threatening wounds, but aside from a few brief reprieves has remained hospitalized for recuperation.

Adva noted that the family home is still not wheelchair accessible or equipped with the specialized furniture Adelle will need. Only in the last few days did Bituach Leumi (National Insurance) finally approve a six-month-old claim from the family for government funding to make their home handicapped accessible; the process will take as long as four or five months.

The judge ruled against the hospital's request that Adele be removed immediately, deciding that Adele should stay hospitalized until a court session could be held with all involved parties. That session is expected to take place in early May.

As I reported in an earlier post, the hospital had sent the Bitons a letter on Tuesday ordering them to take Adele home. Adele's mother addressed the letter in court.

"The judge is invited to come to the children's ward of the hospital," stated Adva during the hearing, rejecting the letter's claims. "The ward is practically empty. It's heart-wrenching. I'm there every single day. It's already a year that I'm away from my workplace. I know all of the comings and goings of the ward."

Adva added that Adele is suppose to have a bone grafting operation on her head, and requested to have her stay at least until after the surgery.

"We ask for a few more months. We'll leave the ward; a long medical journey awaits us. This girls needs to have head surgery," remarked Adva. "She gets thrown off balance from a tiny fever, she gets hypothermia, infections. I should drag her home without the surgery? We ask that the surgery take place, and afterwards she'll come home."

 That poor child.... Hashem Yerachem (May God Have mercy).

Labels: terror victims

posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 5:04 PM