Boy's decision to stop chemo challenged

The state of Michigan has gone to court to force the parents of a 10-year-old Upper Peninsula boy to resume his chemotherapy treatments. A brief filed with the state Court of Appeals said Jacob Stieler of Skandia, Mich. will "most certainly die" if his treatments for a rare form of bone cancer aren't continued, The Grand Rapids (Mich.) Press reported Wednesday. Dianne Heitman, a special prosecutor for the case, said Jacob has an "approximate 70 percent chance of survival if he receives treatment." Without it, he will die, she said. Jacob's mother, Erin, said her son has had three PET scans that show no sign of cancer since doctors at Helen DeVos Children's Hospital told them the cancer would come back right away if treatment was stopped. "They are just playing God," she said. Family attorney Michael Farris said parents have the right to reject the doctors' recommendation because they believe the treatment is not proven to be safe and effective. The state filed an appeal after a Marquette County probate judge dismissed a neglect claim against Jacob's parents. The state wants the appeals court to order a trial.