Ailing Thai Child to Remain in L.A. for More Medical Tests

A Thai toddler victimized in a suspected human trafficking ring will remain in Los Angeles at least two more weeks to receive more medical tests, a federal judge decided Tuesday.

Authorities also will determine if his grandparents, who arrived Monday from Bangkok, can properly care for him.

U.S. District Judge Dickran Tevrizian extended the temporary restraining order barring the boy’s removal to Thailand until June 7. He cited the boy’s persistently poor health after six weeks under doctors’ care.

He also ordered Immigration and Naturalization Service officials to continue investigating the circumstances leading to the 2-year-old’s arrival in Los Angeles on April 11. The boy was apparently sold or rented as part of a human trafficking ring.

“If there’s any danger that that child could go back into the same situation . . . I’m not going to return the child,” said Tevrizian.

He said the boy’s mother might be a prostitute and a drug addict who participated in his sale and could further endanger her son.

Phanupong Khaisri, nicknamed Got, arrived with two adults carrying false documents and claiming to be his parents. INS officials suspected they were part of a ring trafficking in human laborers. The adults were quickly deported, and the toddler was taken into custody.

Since then, U.S. officials and Thai activists have investigated how the boy was brought here and how they can return him to Thailand while ensuring his safety.

Phanupong still has a chronic, hacking cough, an intermittent fever and a persistent ear infection, according to his caregivers. Monday night, he awakened several times with vomiting and nightmares, they said.

“He was up all night,” said Chutima Vucharatavintara, the social worker caring for the child, tears in her eyes. “I don’t know if he’s getting better.”

Under Tevrizian’s orders, Phanupong has ongoing medical appointments with several doctors, said Hae Jung Cho of the Coalition to Abolish Slavery and Trafficking, which has helped arrange care and legal counsel for the child.

Phanupong’s paternal grandparents have not made a public statement, Cho said.

The Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services will evaluate them to determine if they are suitable custodians, Tevrizian said.

Peter A. Schey, an attorney representing Phanupong, said the Thai Consulate in Los Angeles has pressured the grandparents to take the boy back to Thailand as soon as possible.

Piyawat Niyom-rerks, the consul general, denied that, saying he defers to Tevrizian to determine the child’s fate.