Detroit Free Press | April 14, 2011

Authorities have determined there is no emergency need for a 13-year-old girl to be on medication, after the girl's mother was accused of medically neglecting her by not giving her a psychotropic drug.

The girl has been in state custody since Child Protective Services workers showed up to take her, prompting an hours-long standoff between her mother and police.

Judge Lynne Pierce said during a hearing in Wayne County's juvenile court Wednesday that a jury trial in the case will begin June 8.

The girl's mother, Maryanne Godboldo, is accused of firing a gun at officers when CPS came to her Detroit home take her daughter.

Godboldo has said she should have the right to decide treatment for her daughter, whom she was weaning off the drug in favor of holistic methods.

Though officials said Wednesday that there was no immediate need to give the girl medication, Michigan Assistant Attorney General David Law said he may reintroduce the issue later if the need arises.

"They took her unlawfully," Godboldo said after Wednesday's hearing.

Godboldo has said she noticed changes in her daughter's behavior after a series of immunizations in 2009.

Mia Wenk, a CPS worker, testified earlier this month that she filed a petition containing multiple allegations of neglect, along with the order to take the child into protective custody, two weeks after she became involved in the case March 10.

An amended version of the petition was submitted to the court earlier this month.

Pierce will rule on emergency motions by defense attorneys on April 22.

Godboldo's attorney, Wanda Evans, has filed motions to dismiss and to relocate the child from a care facility in Northville, where she has been since shortly after the standoff with police ended March 25.

Pierce requested the child's advocate find out whether the girl can be medically discharged and placed with a qualified family member.

"I'd love to get this child into a family member's home," but the court, Pierce said, "has to follow the law."