(10/19/06) CENTRAL ISLIP - A Mastic mother went on trial Thursday for allegedly refusing chemotherapy for her 5-year-old daughter.

Ursula Loscalzo is charged with child abuse, endangering the welfare of a child and neglect. The mother of six lives on welfare with her husband and is aided, yet sometimes limited, by treatment options from Medicare. Her daughter, who battled pelvic cancer with surgery and other treatment about two years ago, was recently diagnosed again. Loscalzo says when doctors recommended chemotherapy, she asked for a second opinion. She says they refused to discuss the options fully, belittled her and called Child Protective Services due to their bias against the poor.

If convicted, Loscalzo could spend up to a year in jail. Protective services took temporary custody of all six children. If cleared of the charges, Loscalzo is still not guaranteed legal guardianship of her family.