Toddler Denied Kidney Transplant Because Dad Violated Probation: Reports

By Jack Phillips
October 16, 2017 Last Updated: October 16, 2017
AJ Burgess (GoFundMe)

A family from Georgia claims that their 2-year-old boy who has been suffering from kidney problems since he was born will have to wait longer after his father, who is a perfect match for the kidney transplant, violated his probation, AJC.com reported.

The surgery to transplant the kidney was slated for Oct. 3, but now, it’s been pushed back to at least January 2018.

Anthony Dickerson Jr., the child, was born without his kidneys and was due to get his father’s left one. A month ago, he suffered a stroke and needs constant care, WTSP reported.

“They’re making this about his dad,” Carmellia Burgess, the infant’s mother, told the channel. “It’s not about dad. It’s about our son.”

The elder Anthony Dickerson, 26, was first arrested six years ago on theft and forgery charges, and he violated his probation in September, AJC reported. Meanwhile, he was charged with possession of a firearm.

“Mr. Dickerson is currently in custody for a parole violation,” an alleged letter from a hospital stated. “If Mr. Dickerson could be escorted to Emory for blood work and a pre-operative appointment tomorrow, September 29, we will be able to continue with the scheduled surgery.”

After testing, the elder Dickerson was released, and Burgess said she got another letter saying that surgery will be delayed until he complied with his parole officer for three months.

“The Living Donor Team at Emory has asked Mr. Dickerson of compliance from his parole officer for the next three months,” the alleged letter said, WTSP reported. “We will re-evaluate Mr. Dickerson in January 2018 after receipt of this completed documentation.”

“Guidelines for organ transplantation are designed to maximize the chance of success for organ recipients and minimize risk for living donors,” Janet Christenbury, who is a hospital spokeswoman, told AJC.

“Because of privacy regulations and respect for patient confidentiality, we cannot share specific information about our patients.”

A petition that was set up by the family has generated more than 25,000 signatures.

“He’s only two,” Burgess told WTSP of the toddler.

“He doesn’t deserve this. We’ve been waiting so long for this.”

“The lady said we need your parole information and your probation info. He said ‘Why?’ We need you to be on good behavior for three to four months before you can give your son the kidney. And January 2018 we will think about re-evaluating you basically,” Carmella said, CBS reported.