Ailing baby to go home with father

TACOMA – A judge has ruled that an ailing 9-month-old boy whose mother tried to prevent from having surgery for kidney problems may live with his father until a court decides his permanent custody status.

Riley Rogers had the surgery last week and was expected to leave Children’s Hospital and Regional Medical Center in Seattle today on Friday with his father, Todd Rogers.

His mother can visit him under supervision, Pierce County Superior Court Judge John McCarthy ruled Thursday.

Tina Carlsen, 34, was charged with second-degree domestic violence kidnapping after she prompted a two-day manhunt by slipping Riley out of the hospital on June 22. She took him in a diaper bag to avoid surgery ordered by the judge.

Riley was born with poorly functioning kidneys and will likely be a candidate for a kidney transplant. Carlsen, of Sumner, wanted to seek natural treatments, but the judge sided with the doctors, who insisted the boy needed surgery to prepare him for dialysis.

Carlsen spent five days in jail before pleading not guilty to the criminal charge in King County Superior Court last week. She was freed without bail while awaiting trial.