Op-ed views and opinions expressed are solely those of the author.

In the United States of America—where parental rights are sacred, medical freedom is fundamental, and due process is non-negotiable—a nine-month-old baby was ripped from his mother’s arms because she refused a shot.

Let that sit for a minute.

This isn’t just about vaccines. This is about power. It’s about a state that thinks it owns your children—and the bureaucrats and foreign-trained doctors who help enforce that illusion.

The family at the center of this government raid—Ruth Encarnacion and Isael Rivera—are loving, protective parents of five beautiful children. Their crime? Saying no to a pediatrician pushing a vaccine their faith and instincts told them to avoid.

The doctor in question, Dr. Behzad Goharfar, wasn’t just offering medical advice—he was issuing threats. On their final visit, as the family made the completely legal and rational decision to switch pediatricians, Dr. Goharfar cornered them with an ultimatum: Inject your baby right now, or I’m filing a 51A. I’m a mandated reporter. I have no choice.

That was the first domino. And make no mistake—he pushed it.

Goharfar began his career in Tehran, Iran, studying at Tehran University of Medical Sciences, practicing pediatrics in a country where family rights are dictated by the regime, not protected by a Constitution. After immigrating to the United States, he retrained at Harlem Hospital, and now practices in Massachusetts—apparently bringing with him a deeply distorted understanding of medical consent and civil liberty.

This is not Iran. This is not Sharia law. This is not some theocratic regime where parents are state-owned livestock.

This is the United States of America. And you do not threaten parents into forced medical procedures.

When the Riveras refused, Goharfar followed through, triggering a full-blown state assault on their family. DCF filed a Care and Protection order, and Clerk Magistrate Brendan Moran rubber-stamped it, ex parte, without a hearing, without service, without a shred of due process.

This would be shocking if it weren’t so common.

We are now living in a country where DCF can remove your children with no evidence and no warning—and cowardly judges will go along with it. This happened after Chevron deference was overturned, meaning agencies like DCF can no longer “interpret” laws or act unilaterally. But Worcester County Court is still acting like the Constitution is optional.

Encarnacion and Rivera fled to Texas, terrified for their children’s safety. The state responded with a manhunt, an Amber Alert, and coordinated multi-state arrests—not because the children were in danger, but because the parents dared to resist.

This is a political prosecution disguised as child protection. And every parent in America should be absolutely enraged.

The baby was healthy. The children were safe. And yet today, Ruth faces jail time for “familial kidnapping,” her baby is under supervised visitation, and Dr. Goharfar continues practicing medicine with zero consequences for triggering this state-sponsored trauma.  Familial kidnapping?  She and the children’s father kidnapped their own children?

This case has quickly grabbed national attention, and powerful groups like America’s Future, American Made Action, and The Mama Bears are awake. And they are not going back to sleep.

American-Made Action is calling for:  Immediate legal accountability for Magistrate Brendan Moran, a full investigation of Dr. Behzad Goharfar’s conduct and license, an overhaul of Massachusetts DCF and their unconstitutional seizure tactics, a complete public audit of the case, and restoration of the Rivera family’s rights.

Let this serve as a warning: Your title doesn’t protect you when you abuse power.

To Dr. Goharfar: You crossed a line that cannot be uncrossed. You’re not in Tehran anymore. In this country, parents have rights. And when you threaten those rights, we don’t cower—we fight.

We are coming for the agencies, the courts, the cowards, and the tyrants. The Constitution is not up for debate. Our children are not state property. And every single person involved in the destruction of this family is going to be held accountable.

The tide is turning. The people are rising. And your reign of terror is over.

• About
• Latest Posts

Maureen Steele

Maureen Steele is co-founder of the American Made Foundation is an organization that connects influential leaders and grassroots movements to drive real change.

Latest posts by Maureen Steele (see all)

• Judge sets expedited July hearing in Florida election challenge, narrows disputed issues - July 9, 2026
• The Constitution dies in family court - July 2, 2026
• He’s not dying fast enough - October 29, 2025

Comment

We have no tolerance for comments containing violence, racism, profanity, vulgarity, doxing, or discourteous behavior. Thank you for partnering with us to maintain fruitful conversation.