Judge orders Justina Pelletier sent home

(MyFoxBoston.com) -- A judge has ordered that 16-year-old Justina Pelletier be sent home to her family on Wednesday.

The Massachusetts Department of Children and Families has had custody of the Connecticut teen for more than a year.

She was taken to Boston Children's hospital for care by her parents, Linda and Lou, when she fell ill 16 months ago and a dispute over her medical care ensued. Her parents say she has a rare genetic disorder, but the hospital believed the teen's health problems are psychological and exacerbated by her parents. That is when DCF intervened and took custody.

Over the last few months, she has been living in a residential treatment facility in her home state of Connecticut. She couldn't move back in with her parents and sisters until it's approved by Suffolk County Juvenile Court Judge Joseph Johnston.

Attorneys representing the Pelletier family told FOX 25 the judge has ordered that Justina be returned to her parents care effective Wednesday morning. 

Justina's father said she was very excited Tuesday when she learned the news.

"She was screaming ecstatic 'daddy, daddy, I'm coming home,'" he said. "I was speechless, I was happy, I screamed. I was just numb, it was just totally unexpected."

“We are thrilled that Justina will finally be returning home tomorrow,” said Mat Staver, one of the family's lawyers in a statement. “The family looks forward to putting this 16-month nightmare behind them. Justina and her family now begin the process of healing both physically, emotionally, and spiritually.

Secretary of Health and Human Services John Polanowicz said, “Today’s decision is a result of our collaboration with the Pelletier family around the reunification plan, and the strong work of staff at the Susan Wayne Center for Excellence in helping Justina along her road to recovery. The court’s ruling reflects a thorough review of this complex case, and we are very pleased with the result.”

Cox Media Group