December 19, 2025
Catawba County, NC – December 2025 Catawba County’s Child Welfare Agency has officially closed its investigation into Shawn and Shelly Boyce, Christian parents falsely accused of neglecting their eight-year-old son Judah during his battle with leukemia.
The referral, made by St. Jude Affiliate Clinic at Novant Health Hemby Children’s Hospital, alleged that the Boyces were not administering Judah’s oral chemotherapy as prescribed. Judah, who has been courageously fighting leukemia for twenty months, was in the final stage of treatment to prevent recurrence.
Thanks to incessant prayer and integrative therapies approved by his doctors, Judah was healthier than expected. Rather than celebrating his progress, hospital staff refused to accept that prayer and complementary care could improve his condition.
They accused the Boyces of non-compliance and referred the family to Child Protective Services (CPS). Months earlier, St. Jude doctors had threatened CPS involvement if Judah remained “too healthy.” Anticipating this, the Boyces sought counsel from Pacific Justice Institute (PJI) attorney Adam Draper. Draper advised them to hire a licensed nurse for nightly visits to verify chemotherapy administration and document compliance.
Despite clear evidence, St. Jude proceeded with its referral without reviewing the proof.
The malicious referral subjected the Boyce family—including all four children—to an invasive investigation. CPS conducted repeated in-home visits, hours of questioning, and even arrived late at night, demanding that the children be awakened for interrogation.
Investigators asked deeply troubling personal questions, compounding the emotional toll on a family already enduring the strain of cancer recovery. In response, the Boyces partnered with PJI and took their story to social media, sparking national outrage and prayerful support.
Last Friday, CPS closed its file, confirming that no intervention was necessary. Shelly Boyce’s words capture the family’s relief and gratitude: “Praise God!”
