Can dad stop siblings from seeing their dying sister?

I agree with CM's first and latest comments. I also note that her first post, in which she asked whether (a) he won't let these people see her and b) he wishes to restrict their visits. Which is it? " has not been answered by Taylor, although he/she has posted subsequent to CM's question.

I think there IS more going on here. But no one knows how the daughter truly feels, and whether or not SHE wants or is able to handle visitations. That she allegedly wants to see these people is only what Taylor has posted, and apparently not observed directly, but rather through others' comments.

I honestly am horrified at someone videotaping a father trying to care for his dying daughter. How crass.

If the father allows 15 minutes, that's probably all she can handle. For someone who's dying, that's enough of a challenge, unless someone just sits and holds her hand and doesn't expect interaction.

When my sister was a few months into a longer process of dying, she said that she couldn't handle visitors b/c it was (a) too tiring to try to speak (b) too tiring to try to be pleasant and engage in conversation. She asked that I not invite anyone over and that I keep people from coming.

My sister was always a very social person, so this was a surprise to me, but as I saw her deteriorate, I saw how much everything was a challenge for her.

One former young woman to whom my sister was a "Big Sister", in that program, called her directly and invited herself over. And stayed 2 hours. And she brought her 2 small children.

My sister told me afterward that she was just exhausted and needed to sleep for the rest of the day. This woman, who had no comprehension of the needs of someone who was dying, was well intentioned but severely challenged my sister's ability to tolerate a visit.

I suspect something like this might be occurring in the OP's situation.

And her original post indicates that he/she's a family friend, not part of the family. I'm not really sure it's her position or right to consider contacting outside authorities, even though I do understand the concern posted by the posters who suggested it, as the OP's posts seem urgent and infer a dire situation and literal "locking out" of other family members.

I noted also that the biological mother isn't allowed to visit. So, the daughter is living with her father who apparently is taking care of her during her last days, but the biological mother isn't, and apparently would be a "visitor." I won't even speculate what could be involved in that relationship.

We DON'T have the whole story on this situation.

The child certainly has legal rights to contact with her mother unless there are incredibly good reasons for preventing it.

But in any case, this child is receiving hospice care. There are experienced professionals, mandated reporters, on the scene. I don't think our OP can have been given the complete picture.

It's harrowing to imagine what on earth is going on in this family or what terrible emotions everyone involved must be struggling with. I hope there is some kind of resolution very soon.

The biological mother, unless her parental right have been terminated, has legal standing here to demand access to her child, I believe.

She is 16. I think in some states she has rights. I would call CPS.

Why not? Do the videos include his reasons for refusing them access to her?

If the child's mother has clear evidence that her dying child is asking to see her and this is being prevented, she should go straight to CPS and request an intervention. But even as I type it this scenario sounds highly improbable.

Do you have any notion, Taylor, why your friend's father is behaving this way? Is he mentally ill, perhaps?

I think if I were your friend I would call Child Protective Services and explain the situation. I would say I did not want her care to be disrupted or for her to be moved. I was just hoping there would be some way that I and other family members could visit, as she wants.

And why aren't the girl's mother and/or step-mom taking legal action, or calling CPS, etc?

The moms name is still on the house, wouldn’t that mean she also has a say in who can and can’t be there? He won’t let people see her, some of the family had taken videos of how he is acting when they are there. The poor girl is asking to see them and spend time with them and her father will not allow it.

He has the right to ensure that the young girl is not distressed or exhausted by well-meaning but disruptive visitors.

It may also be that there is an infection control issue here.

And there is a difference, a crucial difference, between saying a) he won't let these people see her and b) he wishes to restrict their visits. Which is it?

Well, he has a choice who does or doesn't enter his home, and for how long. He doesn't have to justify it - he's the homeowner.

I'm very sorry to hear about your friend's sister. Such a young age to face the end of life. And so sad for all the family members, especially those who want to be with her and can't.  :-(