Couple denies abusing son as they battle state for custody
MCMINNVILLE, Ore. – The state accuses two McMinnville parents of abusing their child, but the couple insists they're innocent.
The state took custody of Linda and Daniel Dossey's baby boy, Joss, after the couple brought him in with a fever in November and say doctors found what appeared to be fractures in the child's leg and ribs. But the couple says their son has a medical condition called neonatal rickets.
The couple says they were shocked after a doctor told them Joss had a broken femur.
"We're like he's been kicking around fine," said Linda. "He seemed a little fussy but not in pain."
Linda said the doctors' response to the child's injuries was it "must have been shaking. That this was (a) grabbing motion that must have occurred that caused the shaking."
The Dosseys say social services interviewed them and took Joss the next day.
"We're grasping for anything," Linda said. "We know that our son has something medically wrong here. Figure it out."
Looking for an explanation, the couple found a specialist in Illinois who reviewed Joss' medical file and diagnosed him with neonatal rickets, a rare medical condition that can cause weakened bones.
The specialist testified on their behalf at a custody hearing last month but his expert opinion wasn't enough to get their son back.
"It hurts. That's all you can say is it just hurts like beyond anything," Daniel said.
The Dosseys say there is no proof they abused their son but they have to go through mental evaluations with the state next month. Until then, Joss remains in foster care.
"You're innocent until proven guilty. We know we didn’t do anything, this will be easy, and then know that it's not really that easy," Linda said.
DHS won't comment on the case. According to OHSU, where Joss was treated before going to foster care, it cannot comment on the specific case but it follows state law, which requires reporting any suspected child abuse.
The state took custody of Linda and Daniel Dossey's baby boy, Joss, after the couple brought him in with a fever in November and say doctors found what appeared to be fractures in the child's leg and ribs. But the couple says their son has a medical condition called neonatal rickets.
The couple says they were shocked after a doctor told them Joss had a broken femur.
"We're like he's been kicking around fine," said Linda. "He seemed a little fussy but not in pain."
Linda said the doctors' response to the child's injuries was it "must have been shaking. That this was (a) grabbing motion that must have occurred that caused the shaking."
The Dosseys say social services interviewed them and took Joss the next day.
"We're grasping for anything," Linda said. "We know that our son has something medically wrong here. Figure it out."
Looking for an explanation, the couple found a specialist in Illinois who reviewed Joss' medical file and diagnosed him with neonatal rickets, a rare medical condition that can cause weakened bones.
The specialist testified on their behalf at a custody hearing last month but his expert opinion wasn't enough to get their son back.
"It hurts. That's all you can say is it just hurts like beyond anything," Daniel said.
The Dosseys say there is no proof they abused their son but they have to go through mental evaluations with the state next month. Until then, Joss remains in foster care.
"You're innocent until proven guilty. We know we didn’t do anything, this will be easy, and then know that it's not really that easy," Linda said.
DHS won't comment on the case. According to OHSU, where Joss was treated before going to foster care, it cannot comment on the specific case but it follows state law, which requires reporting any suspected child abuse.
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