Noah McAdams: A Florida Case of Medical Kidnapping Over Parental Medical Rights
Photo Credit: Taylor Bland-Ball
Medical kidnapping continues to rise across the U.S., and the 2019 case of Noah McAdams in Florida highlights the alarming trend of government overreach into parental medical decisions. This case sparked national debate when Florida's child welfare system seized custody of a toddler after his parents chose to delay chemotherapy in favor of second opinions and alternative treatments.
The Background: Diagnosed and Seized
In early 2019, then 3-year-old Noah McAdams was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia at Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital in St. Petersburg, Florida. After the first round of chemotherapy, his parents, Joshua McAdams and Taylor Bland-Ball, were deeply concerned about the side effects they were witnessing in their son.
The couple decided to seek a second opinion and explore less aggressive treatments, including natural remedies and holistic care. Without informing the hospital, they traveled to Kentucky to consult alternative practitioners. That decision triggered a nationwide manhunt and ultimately led Florida's Department of Children and Families (DCF) to remove Noah from their custody.
CPS Intervention and Allegations
The State of Florida, claiming medical neglect, intervened swiftly. The couple was accused of "endangering" their child by interrupting conventional treatment. Despite the parents’ assertion that they were actively pursuing medical alternatives and not withholding care, the state forcibly removed Noah and placed him in state custody.
Noah was placed in foster care and ordered to resume chemotherapy immediately. His parents were allowed only supervised visits, despite having no history of abuse or neglect.
Parental Rights vs. State Power
This case ignited a firestorm over parental medical rights. Should the state have the authority to override a parent’s decision in favor of controversial, one-size-fits-all medical treatments? The McAdams case revealed how quickly and aggressively CPS can act, even when parents are advocating in good faith.
In interviews, Taylor Bland-Ball insisted they were not anti-medicine: "We are not trying to refuse treatment. We just want to explore less toxic options."
But once the state labeled the parents as medically neglectful, they were trapped in a system where their voices held little weight.
Systemic Issues at the Core
Cases like Noah’s expose deeper structural problems in the American child welfare system:
No Requirements for Second Opinions: Many states, including Florida, do not require a second medical opinion before launching a CPS investigation.
Financial Incentives to Remove Children: Under Title IV-E federal funding, states receive compensation for each child in foster care, incentivizing removal. The more children placed in care, the more federal dollars a state may receive.
Overreliance on CAPs: Child Abuse Pediatricians (CAPs), often contracted by the state, can interpret ambiguous symptoms as abuse with little room for challenge.
Lack of Medical Freedom: Parents face legal threats when questioning or deviating from a prescribed course of treatment.
Court Deference to State Authority: Judges often side with CPS or state-contracted physicians—even in the face of conflicting evidence—due to liability fears or systemic bias.
The Aftermath
Eventually, the court returned custody to Noah’s parents under strict conditions. The family complied with court-mandated chemotherapy while still advocating for less invasive alternatives. The ordeal stretched on for months, leaving the family traumatized and financially drained.
Noah’s case became a rallying cry for medical freedom and CPS reform, with support from parental rights groups, medical autonomy advocates, and even lawmakers. But the long-term emotional damage remained.
What This Case Means for Other Families
The Noah McAdams story is far from unique. Across the U.S., families face the threat of medical kidnapping whenever they disagree with doctors, delay treatments, or pursue alternative care. This case exemplifies the need for:
Mandatory second opinions before CPS action
Legal protections for medical autonomy
Transparency and accountability within CPS
FAQ: Medical Kidnapping and CPS Power Abuse
What is medical kidnapping? Medical kidnapping occurs when the state removes a child from parental custody due to disputed medical decisions, often based on subjective diagnoses or disagreement over treatment plans.
Why is medical kidnapping becoming more common? Because hospitals and CPS are quick to act on perceived risk—especially when their decisions are backed by contracted CAPs. Meanwhile, federal funds (like Title IV-E) reward states for increasing foster care placements. This creates an incentive to err on the side of removal rather than caution.
Does CPS financially benefit from removing children? Yes. States receive substantial federal reimbursements for each child placed into foster care. Additional grants and funding streams often depend on the number of active cases, creating a financial motive that can corrupt decision-making.
Is it illegal to seek a second opinion? Not at all. Parents have the legal right to explore other treatments, but in practice, doing so—especially without hospital cooperation—can be used against them as evidence of non-compliance.
Why aren’t second opinions accepted? Because many CAPs and CPS investigators see dissent as resistance. Outside medical voices are often disregarded, especially when they conflict with the CAP’s conclusions. These CAPs often carry disproportionate influence in court.
How does the system silence or discredit parents? Parents are labeled as defiant, non-compliant, or hostile—labels that courts often accept without challenge. The system is designed to favor state actors over families.
What happens to children wrongly removed? The trauma is deep and lasting. Studies show children removed from homes—even briefly—are at increased risk for depression, PTSD, and developmental delays. Many never fully recover.
What can families do to fight back? Know your rights. Keep documentation. Record medical interactions. Seek legal counsel early. Mobilize public awareness when necessary. Transparency and pressure are often the only tools families have to counteract state overreach.
Final Thoughts
The case of Noah McAdams serves as a sobering example of how vulnerable families are in today’s medical and legal landscape. When parents lose the right to make informed decisions for their children, the very fabric of family autonomy is at risk.
To protect future families, we must:
Challenge the growing authority of CPS
Push for medical freedom legislation
Demand transparency and due process for all
Share Noah’s story. Help expose the hidden epidemic of medical kidnapping in America.
