Assemblywoman fights child-neglect petition

Larry Henry

Friday, Jan. 30, 1998 | 9:59 a.m.

With her 16-year-old daughter under police supervision in a hospital following colon surgery, Assemblywoman Genie Ohrenschall was charged in Clark County Family Court Thursday with child abuse and neglect.

The civil charge stems from suspicions that Ohrenschall jeopardized her daughter by pursuing alternative treatment for ulcerative colitis, including Chinese herbs, instead of standard surgery that would require the teenager to wear a colostomy bag throughout life.

Ohrehschall, a two-term Las Vegas Democrat, said after the closed hearing Thursday that she has been committed to finding the best treatment for her daughter since then-14-year-old Katie Ross first experienced colon problems in July 1995.

Ross lived in Carson City with Ohrenschall during the 1997 Legislature and was frequently seen in committee rooms with her mother. Ross underwent twice-weekly treatments in Carson City and was home schooled.

Ohrenschall's attorney, Ted Marshall, urged Ohrenschall not to talk to reporters after Thursday's hearing, but as she walked out of the courthouse during an unorganized moment while photographers were taking her picture, Ohrenschall told a reporter that she did not neglect her daughter.

"The heart and soul of my life has been to get my daughter healthy," she said.

A March 2 court date has been set in Judge Fernando Guzman's chamber.

On Thursday, Guzman banned contact between Ohrenschall and Ross unless the meetings are supervised. Contact will be limited to 1 1/2 hours a day.

The ban will be lifted after Ohrenschall and her daughter undergo psychiatric evaluations, Marshall said.

A supervisor is expected to be named in a few days.

Meanwhile, Ross, whose presurgery weight dropped to 55 pounds and now is up to 75, isn't permitted to leave Columbia Sunrise Hospital and Medical Center, where she has a second-floor room with no telephone. Ohrenschall was allowed a brief visit Thursday night supervised by a hospital administrator.

On Wednesday, Guzman banned Ohrenschall from the hospital for 24 hours.

The teenager's father, Jack Ross, a former pawn-shop operator, attended the hearing Thursday but didn't indicate that he wanted custody, Marshall said.

Marshall was uncertain who would receive custody.

Katie Ross entered Columbia Sunrise on Dec. 27 to remove her colon, which had perforated during the holiday season.

Police officials, tipped off by a worried doctor, had threatened Ohrenschall with criminal charges if she refused to send her daughter to the hospital for emergency surgery, Marshall alleged.

An irate Marshall told reporters after the hearing Thursday that police overstepped their authority in making that alleged threat and in going to the district attorney seeking charges.

"This has been an abuse of power by the police," he said. "This case represents an extreme intrusion by the government."

In a document he filed with the court, Marshall said Sgt. Sandie Durgin, supervisor of Metro's abuse and neglect detail, and other officers were "oppressive" in threatening Ohrenschall.

He accused them of being "femi-Nazi police officers who want to play both judge and God."

Durgin was unavailable for comment. A criminal investigation into child neglect is underway.

Marshall also said the chain of events shows that some people are prejudiced against alternative treatment.

"This is clearly a case of alternative medicine versus acceptable medicine," Marshall said, adding that he was not convinced surgery was necessary.

Marshall said he owned a health-food store for seven years and learned to understand the benefits of alternative treatment.

Among those who have treated Ross are Dr. Fuller Royal, of the Nevada Clinic in Las Vegas, and Dr. Stephan Targin, who administered Oriental herbs to Ross at Cedars Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles.

"If her situation had not come during the holidays when no one was around, this would not have happened," Marshall said.

Asked if Ohrenschall's political career would be hurt by the allegations, Marshall suggested that people would perceive her as a caring mother.

"I think she'll be a hero in the entire community," he said.

Several friends and elected officials waited in the hallway outside of the courtroom during Thursday's hearing.

Among them were Assemblyman Bob Price, D-North Las Vegas, his wife Nancy Price, a university regent and congressional candidate, and Assemblywoman Sandi Krenzer, D-Las Vegas.

Ohrenschall lived with Krenzer briefly this month.

According to one law enforcement source, Ohrenschall moved in with Krenzer so Democratic supporters could clean up her house in time for a visit by social services officials.

Assembly Minority Leader Richard Perkins, D-Henderson, said earlier this month that was untrue.

Perkins and 22 other supporters, mostly legislators, signed a petition urging the court to allow Ohrenschall to maintain custody of her daughter.

Several Republicans signed the petition, including Senate Majority Leader Bill Raggio, R-Reno, Sen. Ray Rawson, R-Las Vegas, Assemblyman Jack Close, R-Las Vegas, Assemblyman Mark Amodei, R-Carson City, and Assemblywoman Kathy Von Tobel, R-Las Vegas.