Family Tragedy Turns into Legal Battle Over Medical Care
A devastating family tragedy has escalated into a bitter legal confrontation after new evidence emerged alleging two retired doctors provided their daughter with inappropriate medication while she unknowingly suffered from terminal brain cancer.
Shahrzad 'Sherry' Naso, aged 37, died in April 2024, leaving behind her husband Scott Naso and their four-year-old daughter Laila. What began as a personal tragedy has transformed into a legal battle after Scott discovered disturbing text messages suggesting his in-laws, both retired medical professionals, had been supplying his wife with prescription drugs without her oncology team's knowledge.
The Alleged Medical Negligence
Scott Naso has accused his wife's parents, Dr. Siavash Ghoreishi and Dr. Jila Khorsand, of downplaying their daughter's symptoms while secretly providing her with various medications. The retired paediatrician and pathologist, based in Rhode Island, allegedly dismissed Sherry's concerns about her health deterioration, even as she was dying from undiagnosed brain cancer.
The shocking text messages, revealed during the year-long legal proceedings, show that just one month before Sherry's death, her mother texted her: 'there is nothing wrong with u'. This response came despite Sherry expressing concerns that her breast cancer might have returned.
The medications prescribed by her father included Zofran for nausea, diabetes drugs, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder medication, all intended to address symptoms Sherry experienced during her breast cancer treatment. Evidence suggests she was taking metformin for diabetes despite not having the condition, and dextroamphetamine, which she had reportedly been using since age six.
A Pattern of Concerning Behaviour
Scott's suspicions about his in-laws intensified during his wife's wake, when he witnessed the doctor grandparents administering a syringe of steroid medication directly into their granddaughter Laila's throat. This incident prompted him to investigate further, leading to the discovery of medical records showing the grandparents had been prescribing medication to four-year-old Laila without his consent.
The text messages between Sherry and her parents reveal disturbing discussions about medication management. In one exchange from 2018, Sherry's mother wrote: 'Dad said he is going to find u meds that curbs ur appetite and you will lose your weight Moma Joon quickly', using a term of endearment for her daughter.
Another message stated: 'Dad will give you pills you will see. He is going to ask his doctor to write him for diabetes and give some to you', accompanied by winking emojis, suggesting awareness of the inappropriate nature of their actions.
Missed Diagnosis and Fatal Consequences
Sherry had initially been diagnosed with breast cancer in 2017, a year after meeting Scott. After recovering, the couple married in 2020. However, when her cancer returned, she primarily consulted her parents rather than her oncology team.
Tragically, Sherry's parents attributed her worsening symptoms to withdrawal from Prozac, when in reality her cancer had spread to her brain. It wasn't until family friend Dr. Thomas Morgan, a neurologist, sent her to urgent care that the massive brain tumour was discovered.
Despite emergency surgery to remove the tumour, Sherry never recovered. Scott Naso told The Boston Globe: 'I think their level of medical negligence and reckless behaviour is the main reason she passed away when she did.'
Ongoing Legal Battle
The conflict has now moved to the courts, with Scott filing a complaint with the state medical board in January 2024 and refusing to allow his in-laws access to his daughter. In response, Ghoreishi and Khorsand filed a lawsuit in Kent County Family Court seeking visitation rights with their granddaughter.
Scott's attorney, Veronica Assalone, expressed grave concerns about the grandparents' behaviour, stating: 'Not only do I think this child isn't safe with these grandparents, I don't think any child is safe with these grandparents.'
Judge Felix Gill is presiding over the emotionally charged case, with the next hearing scheduled for December 1. The legal proceedings continue to uncover disturbing details about the medical care provided to Sherry in her final months, raising serious questions about professional boundaries and medical ethics.
