Federal jury sides with Idaho hospital, physician in parental medical rights lawsuit

Jury rules against couple in parental rights case

BOISE, Idaho — A federal jury has decided a family’s civil rights were not violated when their young daughter was given a spinal tap in Idaho against their wishes.

Corissa and Eric Mueller brought the lawsuit against St. Luke’s Regional Medical Center, Dr. Richard MacDonald, Boise and state officials nearly six years ago. The jury reached a verdict Wednesday, siding with the defendants.

The Muellers, former Boise residents, said their constitutional rights were violated in 2002 when a Boise police officer took custody of their 5-week-old daughter so a doctor could check for signs of meningitis.