Medical Kidnapping: How CPS Took Amanda Weber’s Baby Over a Cold
In what’s being called a case of medical kidnapping, a Minnesota mother had her 10-month-old baby removed by Child Protective Services (CPS) after bringing him to the hospital for a mild cough. Despite two hospitals confirming the child was healthy, Amanda Weber was accused of medical neglect—and separated from her baby for 120 days.
The story, featured on Fox 9 News, has reignited national conversations about CPS overreach and the growing number of parents who say they’ve been victims of medical kidnapping—a situation where children are removed from homes due to disputes over medical decisions, often without proper evidence or due process.
What Is Medical Kidnapping?
Medical kidnapping refers to the removal of a child by child welfare authorities—often based on a doctor’s recommendation or misunderstanding—when there is no solid proof of abuse or neglect. In many of these cases, parents are penalized for disagreeing with a hospital or making medically reasonable decisions for their children.
Amanda Weber’s story is a tragic example of this. Her son, Savion, was deemed stable by doctors. But when she chose to leave the hospital and signed out Against Medical Advice (AMA)—a legal right she holds—CPS showed up the next day and took her child.
Amanda’s 120-Day Nightmare
“It was 120 days of pure hell,” Amanda told Fox 9.
Her baby’s removal was followed by six separate court hearings, each time reinforcing the false claim that Amanda had medically neglected her child. And each time, the evidence clearly showed that wasn’t true.
Two hospitals—Children’s Hospital and St. Cloud Medical Center—documented that Savion was fine. No medication was needed. No immediate medical risk was present.
Despite this, the legal system sided with CPS until the Family Preservation Foundation stepped in to help.
When CPS Ignores the Facts
CPS claimed Amanda was an unfit mother based on her AMA decision. When Amanda presented medical documentation showing her child was healthy, CPS refused to relent.
Dwight Mitchell, founder of the Family Preservation Foundation and an advocate for parental rights, called the case a textbook example of medical kidnapping.
“This is not rare. This is the norm. I’ve seen it happen repeatedly,” Mitchell said in the interview.
Eventually, a judge ruled in Amanda’s favor, stating that the petitioner failed to provide clear and convincing evidence that Savion was in danger.
Why Medical Kidnapping Is a Growing Crisis
Amanda’s case is not unique. Across the country, parents are being reported, investigated, and even stripped of their rights for:
Choosing to leave the hospital AMA
Seeking second medical opinions
Refusing certain vaccines or treatments
Following alternative medical advice
Being misunderstood or misrepresented by medical staff
This growing issue is what advocates now refer to as medical kidnapping—where state agencies overstep, weaponizing child protection laws against well-meaning, caring parents.
Reform Is Urgently Needed
Amanda’s story is now a rallying cry for change. The Family Preservation Foundation is calling for:
Stricter legal protections for parental medical decision-making
Accountability for CPS when children are wrongfully removed
Third-party oversight of child removal cases
Policy changes to prevent medical kidnapping from happening again
How You Can Help Fight Medical Kidnapping
Amanda's case had a rare happy ending—but only after 4 months of trauma, missed milestones, and unnecessary separation.
The Family Preservation Foundation is raising awareness and funds to help families like Amanda’s who are facing:
False CPS claims
Improper medical neglect allegations
No access to legal defense
📝 Share your story with the Father’s Advocacy Network here
💬 Use your voice—speak out against medical kidnapping.
Final Thoughts
No parent should lose a child over a cold.
Amanda Weber’s story is a chilling example of how quickly child protection systems can become oppressive—and how easily they can get it wrong. The term medical kidnapping may sound extreme, but for parents like Amanda, it’s all too real.
Let’s turn outrage into reform.
