Meredith Grey temporarily lost custody of her adopted daughter, Zola, due to professional misconduct involving Derek Shepherd's Alzheimer's clinical trial.
The Circumstances Leading to Zola's Removal
At the start of Grey's Anatomy Season 8, social services intervened and removed Zola from Meredith and Derek's custody. This drastic step was a direct consequence of a critical professional ethical breach committed by Meredith.
The specific reasons behind this difficult situation include:
- Tampering with a Clinical Trial: Meredith tampered with Derek's Alzheimer's clinical trial. Her motivation was to ensure that Richard Webber's wife, Adele, who was a participant, received the active drug instead of a placebo, in an effort to improve Adele's declining health.
- Job Loss: When Meredith's actions were discovered, she lost her job at the hospital. This professional setback was a significant factor in social services' decision.
- Custody Revocation: Social services deemed the home environment unstable due to Meredith's recent professional misconduct and the ethical implications of her actions. This led to the immediate removal of Zola from Meredith and Derek's care.
Dr. Webber's Intervention
In a pivotal moment, Dr. Richard Webber stepped in to take the blame for tampering with the clinical trial. This act of self-sacrifice was crucial because Meredith had acted with the intention of helping his wife. Webber's decision ultimately helped pave the way for Meredith to regain her professional standing and, eventually, fight to get Zola back into their home.
The loss of Zola was a highly emotional and challenging period for Meredith and Derek, underscoring the severe repercussions of Meredith's actions and the complexities of her ethical choices.
