article_snippet: The case centered on the mature minor doctrine recognised by several other states — whether
article_snippet: 17-year-olds are mature enough to make 17-year-olds own medical decisions.
article_snippet: I thought, "How can you force a person, regardless of how old they are, to do something they haven’t given consent to?'
article_snippet: "' In a statement to ABC News, Connecticut's DCF said:  'When experts -- such as the several physicians involved in this case -- tell us with certainty that a child will die as a result of leaving a decision up to a parent, then the Department has a responsibility to take action.
article_snippet: Even if a decision might result in criticism, us have an obligation to protect the life of a child when there is consensus among the medical experts that action is required. '
article_snippet: Much of the improvements in Connecticut's child welfare system have come from working with families voluntarily to realise solutions to family challenges. '
article_snippet: Unfortunately that can't happen in every situation, especially when the life of a child is at stake.'