The Associated Press
PORT ORCHARD — Ailing radio personality Casey Kasem was in critical condition with an infected bedsore at a Pierce County hospital, as his daughter and wife headed to court for another hearing in a dispute over his care.
The 82-year-old Kasem was receiving intravenous antibiotics and other care Thursday for a serious pressure ulcer he had when he was admitted on Sunday, according to a statement from St. Anthony Hospital in Gig Harbor.
Hospital spokesman Scott Thompson said Friday he would make no comment beyond the statement.
Meanwhile, a hearing was scheduled later in the day in Kitsap County Superior Court in the dispute between Kasem’s wife, Jean Kasem, and his daughter, Kerri Kasem, who has said in a court filing that her father has a form of dementia.
Jean Kasem has been in control of her husband’s medical care and has controlled access to him as his children from an earlier marriage contested who should make decisions about his care.
On May 20, while Kasem and his wife were in Washington state, Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Daniel S. Murphy ordered Jean Kasem to comply with court orders allowing doctors to evaluate her husband and also permit Kerri Kasem to see him.
The judge also ordered Jean Kasem to surrender her husband’s passport and temporarily suspended her powers to determine her husband’s medical care.
The ruling came after Casey and Jean Kasem were tracked down by Kitsap County deputies May 13 at the home of longtime family friends. Jean Kasem said they were on a family vacation. Kitsap County is west of Seattle.
Last week, a state judge reiterated the order to allow visits by Kerri Kasem, who brought a doctor on Sunday and her father was taken to the hospital.
As Casey Kasem was taken out of the home, Jean Kasem tossed a package of ground meat at her stepdaughter.
“If you need to know why I did it — when a person is about to pass away, there are always rabid dogs,” Jean Kasem told reporters in response to a question after a court session Monday.
Kasem gained fame with his radio music countdown shows, “American Top 40” and “Casey’s Top 40.” He also was the voice of Shaggy in the cartoon “Scooby Doo.”
