Pelletier family: DCF denied us Mother's Day visit

BOSTON — Protesters gathered outside the Framingham facility where 15-year-old Justina Pelletier is living Sunday after the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families reportedly denied her family a visit.

According to the family, DCF denied Linda Pelletier, Justina's mother, a Mother's Day visit to the Wayside Youth & Family Support Network where Justina is staying.

According to a press release from the family, the department cited "unspecified reasons" and made the refusal late Saturday afternoon the state department of Health and Human Services gave the visit "serious consideration" to be part of a reunification plan between the Pelletier parents and their daughter Justina. DCF operates under the Health and Human Services sector.

Linda Pelletier released two statements in video form as a reaction to the department's decision to not allow a visit on Sunday. Those short videos can be seen here and here.

Janet Muscara, her husband and three children all went to Framingham on Sunday morning to participate in the protest.

"They asked me what I wanted to do today for Mother's Day, and I asked them if they would support me in coming here to support the family. Justina's family. And they all agreed without hesitation," said Muscara. 

Muscara joined other mothers and kids Sunday after the Pelletiers claimed they were denied the special Mother's Day visit by Wayside.

Lou Pelletier and his daughter Jessica told FOX 25 that the facility told him they didn't have the staff to accommodate the request because of the publicity around Justina's case.

"All the other mothers are allowed to see their kids. She's not," Jessica Pelletier said. "I'm hoping she'll come out strong, but I don't know how much more she can deal with this."

Last week, HHS Secretary John Polanowicz outlined a reunification plan for the family, who reside in Connecticut.

According to Polanowicz, Justina will be moved to the JRI Susan Wayne Center for Excellence in Thompson, Conn. next week. He says DCF will support the return of custody to Justina's parents once they've met four conditions. The conditions include attending visits with Justina at JRI, following through with the Tufts Medical Center care plan, participating in family therapy, and meeting with DCF to review progress.

The 15-year-old was taken into DCF custody in February 2013 after a dispute over her medical diagnoses at Boston Children's Hospital. In March, a judge ordered the state take over permanent custody until another court hearing in May, when the issue would be reconsidered.

DCF responded to the Pelletier family's claims on Sunday by releasing the following statement:

"We are happy that the family was able to participate in their regular weekly visit with Justina on Friday. This weekend, we are working with Justina and her family to ensure Justina will be able to make a successful transition from Wayside to the facility closer to her family and home in Connecticut. On Monday, she will arrive at JRI, where she will receive medical, educational and rehabilitation services. The facility has arranged for her family to welcome and greet her once she arrives," the statement read in part.

Cox Media Group