A High Court judge will on Saturday decide whether a mother can prevent her seven-year-old son from having radiotherapy for a cancerous brain tumour because she fears the treatment could leave him disabled.
Sally Roberts, 37, sparked a nationwide police search when she ran away with her son Neon earlier this week.
Roberts, a New Zealander who lives in Tiverton, Devon, told a High Court hearing in London that she was not a “bonkers mother” and that she feared radiotherapy would cause Neon long-term harm.
But doctors said the seven-year-old could die within months if he does not have radiotherapy and urged judge David Bodey to give them the go-ahead.
A lawyer representing health authorities treating Neon told the court that the “alternative is death”.
Neon has already had surgery on the tumour and doctors say it is in his best interests to now have both radiotherapy and chemotherapy.
Bodey said he would announce on Saturday whether it is in the boy’s best interests to undergo both treatments or just chemotherapy following surgery on the tumour.
Roberts’ lawyers urged the judge to have sympathy with her, arguing that her position was “principled, reasonable and in the best interests of Neon”.
Devon and Cornwall Police launched a nationwide search after Roberts and her son went missing from their home on Monday. Both were found safe in Sussex on Thursday.
Roberts told the court she was sorry for her disappearance.
“I very much apologise,” she said. “I only want the best for my son.”
Ruling due on bid to prevent boy's radiotherapy
