Jul 1, 2008 8:04 pm US/Eastern
Mom Charged With Denying Son Cancer Treatment
SALEM (WBZ) ―
Jeremy Fraser has spent his life facing challenges. He suffers from autism and seizures. Two years ago, he was diagnosed with cancer.
But according to his father Eric, Jeremy had been on his way to recovery when he got the most horrible news. "I called Dr. Allison Friedman at Mass General and she said 'Eric you might want to pull over for this.'"
Doctors told Eric that his ex-wife, Jeremy's mother, Kristen LaBrie, 36, of Beverly, wasn't giving Jeremy the medicine to fight his cancer. "She said 'We called the pharmacy and there's no record of her picking up the medication.' She picked it up once in July and she never picked it up again."
Jeremy had a good prognosis when first diagnosed, with chances of recovery put at 85 percent to 90 percent, according to a police report. But his chances have dropped to 10 percent since being deprived of medication, authorities said.
LaBrie allegedly failed to administer several of Jeremy's chemotherapy medications. She also changed more than 12 of her son's appointments at Mass. General Hospital.
Dr. Friedman filed a report of suspected neglect with the Department of Social Services after discovering Fraser's cancer had returned, something that should not have happened if he was on his medications.
"It's beyond my realm of comprehension how a mother could do this and keep possibly life-saving medications from her son. I just can't understand it," said Eric's friend Doreen Exarchos.
"If I had those answers this would be easier for me to handle," said Eric. "This is something I will probably take to my grave."
Now, the focus is on Jeremy's quality of life. "I'm beyond the time of being angry and mad right now. I'm taking care of my son and enjoying every moment of being with him."
According to prosecutor Kate MacDougall, "in all likelihood, Jeremy Fraser will not see his ninth birthday."
LaBrie was released on personal recognizance Monday after pleading not guilty in Salem District Court to a charge of reckless child endangerment.
WBZ tried to reach LaBrie, but she would not return our calls. Her lawyer had no comment.
(© 2008 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
