Couple loses custody of teen son after giving him marijuana to treat seizures
TWIGGS COUNTY, Ga. – Two Georgia parents have lost custody of their son after giving him marijuana to treat his seizures, according to WGXA.
Matthew and Suzeanna Brill face charges of reckless conduct for giving the drug to their 15-year-old son. Georgia has some of the strictest marijuana laws in the country, and while it’s legal to have low-THC oil with a state-issued card, getting the card itself is not always easy.
“The only way he could get a medical card would be a six-year waiting list,” Suzeanna told CBS.
State law also forbids the sale of marijuana-based products, and doctors are not allowed to prescribe it.
After the Brills’ story received nationwide attention, the Twiggs County Sheriff’s Dept. held a press conference Thursday.
“It’s important to say, in my position as a sheriff, it doesn’t matter if I agree with the law,” Twiggs County Sheriff Darren Mitchum said He later added, “the fact is, marijuana is not legal in the state of Georgia.”
Sheriff Mitchum said that his office has received threats and numerous phone calls.
The Georgia Division of Family and Children Services took the teen away in April; he is now in a group home.
The Brills say they began giving their son, David, marijuana in February.
The Brills’ attorney, Steve Sadow, told ABC News that giving him the drug was a last-ditch effort after trying other medical treatments and prescriptions. Sadow told ABC News the marijuana helped David go 71 days without a seizure.
“We look at our child in a ball in the middle of the floor unable to do anything, but their entire body is convulsing and tensed up and you have to pick your child up, carry them to your vehicle because you live 45 minutes away from help. I hope no parent ever has to do that,” Suzeanne Brill told WGXA.
They are back in court on June 14 when they could learn whether or not David will be returned to them.
The Twiggs County Sheriff’s Office issued the following statement on Thursday:
Statement of Twiggs County Sheriff Darren Mitchum
As of right now, marijuana is still illegal to possess or use in the State of Georgia.
That includes allowing or giving it to your children to ingest or smoke.
As Sheriff, it is my duty to enforce state law, and local county ordinance. The oath that I took does not say to enforce only the laws that I agree with, it says all laws. It does not matter, if I agree with the way the law is written or not.
On April 19, 2018, Twiggs County Sheriff’s Office was contacted by Georgia Department of Family and Children Services to escort and standby with their investigator while they made contact with a family. This case was initiated by DFACS concerning Suzeanna Brill and Matthew Brill, after they received information that Mr. and Mrs. Brill were supplying marijuana to their 15 year old son to smoke.
The parents admitted to DFACS investigators that it was true. Mr. Brill stated that he smokes it first to makes sure it was good before allowing their son to smoke it.
Their reason for this was because their son has seizures and other medications did not work for him. Mr. Brill stated that he does smoke marijuana and would test positive for it. Mr. Brill and their son both tested positive for marijuana.
Both parents stated they knew it was illegal, but was willing to face the consequences for it, if it would help their son’s condition.
The DFACS investigator obtained an order through Juvenile Court to remove the child from the home on April 20, 2018. The parents were charged with Reckless Conduct.
The parents admitted to giving their son marijuana to smoke because of his condition in the presence of the deputy that was escorting the DFACS investigator to the residence.
On April 20, 2018 the child was taken to Medical Center by Mr. Brill for a seizure. DFACS made contact with the child and medical staff at Medical Center. The child was taken into custody by DFACS.
Bibb County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested Mrs. Brill on the warrant for Reckless Conduct. Mr. Brill had already left the hospital and said he would turn himself in, which he did not, but was arrested later that day without incident.
Regardless of criminal charges or not DFACS was going to remove the child and had obtained the authority to do so, by way of a court order through Juvenile Court.
This case is a DFACS investigation, not a Twiggs County Sheriff’s Office investigation. Based on the information my deputy had at the time, and concern for the welfare of the child, I think that the charge of reckless conduct is appropriate in this matter.