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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
World
Dave Burke

Armed police storm home to 'rescue' unvaccinated boy, 2, with 40°C fever

Shocking video shows armed police storm their way into a family home - to retrieve a sick two-year-old whose parents had not vaccinated him.

The officers, with their guns drawn, descended on the address in Arizona because the boy's mum and dad did not take him to an emergency room.

Laws allowing officials to remove children in emergency situations have been passed, although critics have branded the use in this instance as "ridiculous".

The child had a 40C fever, and the raid happened after a doctor reported the family to the Arizona Department of Child Safety (DCS).

The DCS then got the police involved.

Police with guns drawn stormed the address in Arizona (ABC)
Authorities have come under fire after the footage was shared (ABC)

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It was initially feared the child had meningitis , although it later turned out to be an infection.

Nicholas Boca, the family's attorney, fumed to ABC15 : "It's absolutely ridiculous.

"That type of kicking your door in, with guns drawn... it should be reserved for violent criminals."

He described his clients as a "good family" and said the raid was a "waste of state resources".

Police reportedly called at the address in Chandler, but the child's dad refused to let them in.

State Representative Kelly Townsend said legislation should not have been used like this (ABC)
A doctor had voiced fears about the child (ABC)

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They returned with a search warrant, and forced their way in after the family refused to budge, it is claimed.

State Representative Kelly Townsend, who helped get the legislation used passed, said: "That is not the country that I recognise."

She described the police action as a "mistake", and said authorities should be focusing on cases where there is neglect.

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