The Free Press, Mankato, MN

Local News

June 19, 2009

Hausers using acupuncture

Family also has new attorney

By Dan Nienaber

A Sleepy Eye couple that has been ordered by a judge to continue chemotherapy for their 13-year-old son has hired a new attorney.

Anthony and Colleen Hauser have also turned to acupuncture and acupressure treatments for Daniel Hauser to ease his pain as he continues treatment for a tumor, according to a news release issued by the family Friday.

Daniel Hauser attempted to stop the chemotherapy that had been prescribed after he was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma, a highly curable form of cancer.

In response to child neglect allegations filed by county human services officials and Daniel Hauser’s doctor, Brown County District Court Judge John Rodenberg ordered him to continue treatment. The case then drew national attention when Colleen Hauser left the state with her son, triggering criminal charges, an arrest warrant and a nationwide search.

The Hausers have continued to comply with court order since Colleen and Daniel Hauser returned to Sleepy Eye voluntarily. They have also sought treatments from Jeffrey Kotulski of Between the Bridges Healing Center in Mankato, including acupuncture and acupressure treatments that took place Wednesday.

The Hausers are scheduled to return to court Tuesday to update Rodenberg about Daniel Hauser’s treatment and any progress that has been made. They will be represented by Barbara Gislason. She is a Fridley lawyer who is the granddaughter of Judge Arnie Gislason, who served as Brown County’s District Court judge for 27 years.

The news release did not say why the Hausers are no longer working with Calvin Johnson, the lawyer who represented the family during initial court appearances.

A guardian ad Lietem representing Daniel Hauser had made a motion to prohibit public access to the boy’s medical records and to Tuesday’s hearing. That motion was denied by Rodenberg, who cited public interest in the case in an order released Thursday. He also said the family has helped create public interest in the case.

“It is impossible at this point to attempt to reverse course and keep all of those issues confidential,” Rodenberg said in his order.

The family has also taken over the Web site, originally created by Johnson, at www.dannyhauser.com. They have been using it to make public statements about the case, provide updates about Daniel Hauser’s treatment and raise money for the family’s medical and legal bills.

“The family is experiencing financial challenges and would greatly appreciate your donations,” the news release said.

A “Danny Hauser Benefit Fund” has been set up at the Wells Fargo Bank in New Ulm.

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