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Comatose Gibsonton Woman's Husband To Call The Shots

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By JULIE MCKINNON

The Toledo Blade

Published: November 25, 2008

TOLEDO, OHIO - The husband and sister of a Gibsonton woman in a persistent vegetative state agreed today that the husband is the woman's guardian, heading off a potential dispute akin to the one involving the late Terri Schiavo.

Robert Lavers, who does not want any life-support denied his wife and has moved from Gibsonton with their three children, will remain the guardian of Heather Lavers.

The news came after Heather's sister, Heidi Kaczala of Toledo, withdrew her petition from Lucas County Probate Court. She agreed the court should affirm Lavers' guardianship, with certain conditions outlined during a hearing today.

Among conditions being worked out are that Heather Lavers will not be moved from Ohio without Kaczala's consent. Robert Lavers also must sign a release so Kaczala and her mother, Patricia Kaczala of Maumee, can discuss her care with providers, and her mother must be notified along with him about any care questions, said Heidi Kaczala's attorney, Kevin McManus.

Heather Lavers, 38, suffered from a lack of oxygen and cardiac arrest while at home in September, and she was moved from Florida to Toledo for better care.

This is the second time this year a woman with Toledo ties has been the focus of a guardianship dispute similar to the nationally controversial case of the late Terri Schiavo, whose feeding tube was removed against the wishes of her parents before she died in 2005.

Karen Weber, formerly of Toledo, died in Florida in October of natural causes before Okeechobee County Circuit Court could determine permanent guardianship.

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