Judge finds Corinth mother not credible, denied custody of son after disagreeing with doctors

A Denton County judge has rejected a Corinth mother’s bid for custody of her 2-year-old son, who was taken by Child Protective Services in December 2023 after she chose to leave a pediatric hospital against medical advice.

The case has attracted national attention regarding parental rights and whether Texas Children’s Protective Services adhered to proper procedures in removing the child from his home.

Joslyn Sanders is accused of medically neglecting her son, who developed a severe body rash in late 2023 that doctors attribute to severe malnutrition.

During the court proceedings on Tuesday, Sanders was the final witness to testify after three weeks of hearings.

Sanders contends that doctors at Children’s Dallas never informed her that Josiah was malnourished and at risk of death if he left the hospital. She also admitted to this being the third CPS medical neglect investigation involving her in a seven-month period in 2023.

Josiah’s medical team at Shine Pediatrics in Richardson testified that they were worried the rash could lead to sepsis and advised Sanders to take Josiah to a hospital on Dec. 20, 2023. Sanders chose to take Josiah to Children’s Medical Center in Dallas, where he had been treated in March 2023 after a seizure.

The family left the hospital late at night on Dec. 20, triggering a CPS investigation as per protocol.

Anuki Wachsman, a key witness, testified about receiving the case on Dec. 21, one day after joining CPS as an investigator. She admitted to errors during the removal process, including omitting information provided by Josiah’s family from her report and falsely stating she had a court order to remove the child, which wasn’t required in an emergency removal according to state law.

Despite Josiah’s improved condition, the judge ruled that he should remain in CPS custody under the care of an extended family member, ordering CPS services for Sanders to learn proper child nourishment.

Sanders expressed her heartbreak over the decision, emphasizing her efforts to regain custody and her love for her son.

Her attorney, Brenda Derouen, emphasized Sanders’ rights to seek a second medical opinion.

The case has prompted widespread discussion on parental rights and proper procedures in child welfare interventions.