I remember some months ago seeing a very small notation in the local paper concerning the death of Connor Carter. I recognized that he was the child of Dr. and Mrs. William Carter, and it was quite a while until I learned more.

Recently, information again appeared in our paper, and I could not believe what I read. It was a story about one of our local physicians being railroaded by the local coroner's office and the Lancaster County justice system.

Take a look at the facts.

A 14-year-old athlete injures his knee, and subsequently undergoes surgery to repair the injury. He was a big, strong youngster who weighed about 190 pounds. It would not be unusual for such an operation to bring on severe pain during the post-operative phase, and warrant the administration of a narcotic.

His father, William Carter, M.D., is a respected family physician who has an established practice in Lancaster County. He is very knowledgeable, and happens to have a leftover fentanyl patch, which was returned to him by one of his patients who hoped to save the cost for another in need. He calculates correctly the proper dose for a patient of Connor's weight, and then administers the pain medication to his son.

The pain was severe, and because of his immobility, raised the chances of his having a life-threatening pulmonary embolism. At no time did his father knowingly do an illegal action. Surveying many other physicians reveals they would have done the same. In the early morning hours the unforeseen tragedy occurs, and in the morning he finds his son is deceased.

As required by law, there would be an autopsy. Dr. Carter insisted that an autopsy be done with the hope of finding an explanation for his youngster's death. He had nothing to hide. The information, and the interpretation of it, was the second tragedy. Dr. Carter was now accused of homicide.

In my opinion, there was absolutely no need to label the manner of death a "homicide." The blood level of the oxycodone Connor had earlier been given was felt to be insignificant; however, the level of fentanyl was said to be "sky high." Subsequently the blood level of the fentanyl was correctly interpreted to be within therapeutic limits, and should not have caused Connor's death. There was no evidence of malpractice. Also, in recent weeks, the ambulance chasers have been advertising on TV seeking cases of unforeseen deaths possibly related to fentanyl.

The autopsy results have been found to show a small pulmonary embolus, and the embolus was not significant, but others would state that it could have produced a cardiac arrhythmia. The plain microscopic examination of the wall of the left ventricle revealed normal tissue.

His administration of the fentanyl was an infraction of the drug laws. He had used a patient-returned patch of fentanyl to help relieve his son's severe pain, and he did not know he was doing something that was illegal.

Most physicians, including myself, would have done the same thing. We would not have recalled this regulation, or would never have been made aware of this law. Common sense dictates that his license to practice medicine and prescribe narcotics for need should be reinstated.

It bothers me also that this case has not generated support for Bill Carter from the Pennsylvania Medical Society, the Lancaster City and County Medical Society, and his medical colleagues.

Everyone seems to consider this a closed case, but it will always be a terrible burden for Dr. and Mrs. Carter.

Plenty of apologies are in order and they have been slow in coming. Maybe some resignations should be in order.