A fundamental American value is family, an entity in which government should not interfere. Parents are given responsibility for their children and should be allowed to care for their children as they see fit, assuming they are not neglectful.

In May, a physician at Primary Children’s Medical Center in Salt Lake City, Utah, diagnosed 12-year-old Parker Jensen with Ewing’s sarcoma after removing a small tumor from under his tongue. The terminal cancer, which has since been confirmed by four other physicians, has only a five percent survival rate without chemotherapy, doctors said in The Charlotte Observer.

However, Parker’s parents, Daren and Barbara Jensen, have refused chemotherapy for their son.

After a physician contacted the state Division of Child and Family Services in June to make a medical neglect claim, a judge in the 3rd District Juvenile Court ordered chemotherapy to begin by Aug. 8 or Parker would be taken into state custody. The Jensens fled the state in an effort to get alternative treatment but were charged with kidnapping their son and later surrendered.

It is not right for the government to interfere in this matter — especially not to the extent of charging Daren and Barbara Jensen with kidnapping their own son. Chemotherapy is a treatment with serious side effects which can be temporary or long-term. A long thought process and debate must have taken place and the Jensens reached their decision for a reason. The Utah government should let the family stick by their decision for their son’s welfare and allow them to seek the alternative treatment they desire.

In exchange for keeping Parker, the parents agreed to a new round of tests by Idaho oncologist Dr. Martin Johnston and would abide by his treatment recommendation. Johnston recommended an 11-month chemotherapy regimen — however, the Jensens maintain the new tests do not show signs of cancer in Parker’s body. One of the tests did show an abnormality in Parker’s mouth that needs attention from an oral surgeon, the Associated Press reported. Johnston also recommended a bone marrow test because almost all patients with Ewing’s sarcoma have undetectable cancer cells that spread.

The Jensens still refuse chemotherapy treatment and would like to seek alternative forms of treatment. Johnston has since quit the case due to the prospect of giving treatment to a child who doesn’t want it.

While Daren and Barbara Jensen are still fighting the government and are not being allowed to seek other forms of treatment, an innocent young boy is suffering in the shadows.

Leave the family alone to deal with their tragedy as they see fit.