In re Elianah T.-T.

Summary

The court held that General Statutes § 17a-10 (c) does not authorize the Commissioner of Children and Families to vaccinate children in her temporary custody over their parents’ religious objection. Although the statute is ambiguous because “medical treatment” appears alongside language concerning the child’s continued good health, the statutory context, ejusdem generis, related statutes, and legislative history show that the provision grants limited authority for treatment of existing conditions, particularly in emergencies, rather than routine preventive care. The trial court’s order was reversed and the case was remanded with direction to grant the parents’ motion.