A mother in Oklahoma has been at the center of a medical and legal dispute concerning the treatment of her son, Presten, who was diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) in late 2023. Over the course of nearly two years, the family's approach to Presten’s care has raised questions from healthcare providers, relatives, and child protective authorities.

Shortly after Presten’s diagnosis, his mother, Mooney, expressed deep skepticism about conventional medical treatment and government agencies, including the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). She communicated to family members her distrust of standard cancer therapies and reliance on pharmaceutical companies, advocating instead for more “natural” or alternative approaches. Presten was initially hospitalized and discharged with a prescription for imatinib, an oral targeted therapy commonly used for CML, which Mooney was responsible for administering.

Although Presten’s condition initially appeared to stabilize, by mid-2024 his white blood cell count increased, prompting his oncologist to seek insurance approval for a medication switch to dasatinib. Despite these steps, Presten’s health continued to deteriorate, with his oncologist unable to fully explain the lack of remission. Mooney reported feeling helpless and explored alternatives, including discussions of ivermectin, a drug not approved for cancer treatment but sometimes promoted in alternative medicine circles.

Throughout late 2024 and into 2025, Mooney limited Presten’s engagement with his medical team and family. She claimed the family had relocated out of state and declined to schedule follow-up appointments or refill prescriptions, emphasizing her focus on quality of life and minimizing medication use. During this time, Mooney also opted to homeschool Presten, teaching him government skepticism and survival skills.

Concerns from relatives grew as Mooney appeared to distance herself and provide conflicting information about Presten’s health status. His grandmother and other family members reported being unable to see him or verify his condition, leading some to suspect that the boy’s health was worsening.

In early 2025, Mooney sought advice from Gwendolyn Posey, a naturopathic practitioner based in Oklahoma City who specializes in “functional genomic medicine.” Although not a licensed naturopath since Oklahoma does not license such practitioners, and without formal naturopathic credentials, Posey began advising Mooney on supplements and dietary modifications, attributing Presten’s leukemia and other health issues to toxin accumulation and genetic factors.

By September 2025, the situation escalated when a family member noticed photos of a visibly emaciated and pale Presten and alerted authorities. Child Protective Services (CPS) initiated an investigation into alleged medical neglect. When a caseworker visited Mooney’s home, Mooney cited Posey as a licensed medical provider overseeing Presten’s care, but did not allow entry. Shortly thereafter, with an emergency order, CPS took Presten into protective custody and transferred him to Oklahoma Children’s Hospital where medical tests revealed a dangerously high white blood cell count—more than a hundred times above normal—and a need for immediate treatment, including blood transfusions.

Physicians at the hospital diagnosed Presten as being at imminent risk of death or irreversible organ damage without appropriate medication. Mooney consented to begin dasatinib, previously prescribed by Presten’s oncologist, alongside her supplemental regimen. The oncologist also offered to integrate a lifestyle medicine physician into Presten’s care.

Following admission, a judge ruled that Presten’s critical condition did not amount to a legal emergency and returned custody to Mooney, though the boy remained hospitalized due to medical concerns. Supporters rallying for Mooney framed the case as a parental rights issue.

Mooney’s case has attracted attention from political figures, including a state senator and physician affiliated with the Freedom Caucus who offered to provide an independent medical opinion. The senator, who has publicly administered ivermectin for COVID-19 patients, said he wanted to assess the situation firsthand.

Both healthcare providers and family members express concern over the prolonged delay in conventional treatment, while Mooney maintains her view that alternative therapies and minimizing pharmaceutical interventions best serve her son’s well-being. The Oklahoma Department of Human Services and Oklahoma Children’s Hospital declined to comment on the ongoing case.