(10/20/06) CENTRAL ISLIP - The doctor who accused a Mastic mom of refusing cancer treatment for her 5-year-old daughter took the stand Friday.

Ursula Loscalzo's daughter battled pelvic cancer for two years. Following that fight, which included surgery, the cancer spread and a doctor at Stony Brook University Medical Center says Loscalzo refused chemotherapy for her daughter. Loscalzo, who is on welfare and is enrolled in Medicaid, claims she told the doctor she wanted a second opinion and to discuss alternative treatment options. She says this bruised his ego and he called child services.

Loscalzo is faced with child abuse, neglect and endangering the welfare of a child charges. If convicted, she could serve up to a year in prison per charge. Child services took all six of Loscalzo's children and placed them in foster care. An acquittal does not guarantee the return of custody to Loscalzo and her husband.