A family with five children from Fitchburg, Massachusetts, fled to Texas after what they claim was unwarranted harassment and intimidation by local police and the Department of Children and Families (DCF). The extreme response was reportedly sparked by the parents’ informed decision to decline to vaccinate their healthy nine-month-old baby.
The parents, who homeschool their children, stated to their pediatrician that they were opposed to their new baby receiving the shots based on their sincerely held religious beliefs. Despite citing religious exemptions which are law in Massachusetts, the father, Isael Rivera is being held in Worcester County Jail on a $200,000 bond or 20K cash bail, while the couple’s five children have reportedly been taken into custody by Child Protective Services (CPS). It is unclear whether the children are in foster care in Texas, or back in Massachusetts DCF custody.
“This is a blatant violation of fundamental rights on multiple levels,” says Ron Bouchard, Constitutional Law Strategist. “By what authority has this family been apprehended and for what? Was there a warrant? What is familial kidnapping? A family has the right to travel with their children. How and why have they been reported missing, and by whom? What laws have they broken and what imminent danger exists to justify the drastic action of DCF and the Fitchburg Police Department traumatizing this family by tearing it apart?”
The ordeal began when the family’s pediatrician, a mandatory reporter, threatened to report them to DCF after the parents declined vaccinations for their infant during a wellness check.
“The doctor said if we didn’t vaccinate, he’d have to report us,” the father, “Izzy” Rivera, allegedly told an advocate who provided safe harbor for the family in Texas. “Despite assurances that their baby was well-fed, cared for, and thriving, DCF soon left a notice on their door demanding a home visit. Fearing for their family, the parents refused, citing their rights.”
What followed was a dramatic escalation. Fitchburg police, at the direction of Leominster DCF allegedly surrounded their apartment, banging on doors and circling the property for up to 30 minutes. “Ruth Encarnacion hid in the closet with her five children,” said the good samaritan who assisted the family over their 3 week exile. According to her account of what the family told her, with police and DCF returning in greater numbers the next day, Rivera was also forced to hide, while his wife and children fled from Fitchburg.
The family then reunited and embarked on a three-day trek to Texas, aided by the advocate who arranged for an Airbnb, food, and supplies to help them to do what they believed was best for their youngest child and their whole family. “For protecting their child, they were pursued like criminals,” she said. “He told the doctor it was against their beliefs to vaccinate, but it didn’t matter.”
