News & Politics - Judge Orders woman "No more children"

SuperDeluxe · 01-05-2005, 02:10 PM

Quote:

Judge orders drug addict to stop having children
Wednesday, January 5, 2005 Posted: 7:44 AM EST (1244 GMT)

ROCHESTER, New York (AP) -- A Family Court judge who last year stirred debate about parental responsibilities ordered a second drug-addicted woman to have no more children until she proves she can look after the seven she already has.

The 31-year-old mother, identified in court papers only as Judgette W., lost custody of her children, ranging in age from eight months to 12 years, in child-neglect hearings dating back to 2000. Six are in foster care at state expense and one lives with an aunt.

The youngest child and two others tested positive for cocaine at birth and all seven "were removed from her care and custody because she could not and did not take care of them," Judge Marilyn O'Connor said in a December 22 decision made public Tuesday.

"Because every child born deserves a mother and a father, or at the very least a mother or a father, this court is once again taking this unusual step of ordering this biological mother to conceive no more children until she reclaims her children from foster care or other caretakers," O'Connor wrote.

In a similar ruling last March, O'Connor ordered a drug-addicted, homeless mother of four to refrain from bearing children until she won back care of her children. The decision, the first of its kind in New York, is being appealed.

Wisconsin and Ohio have upheld similar rulings involving "deadbeat dads" who failed to pay child support. But in other states, judges have turned back attempts to interfere with a person's right to procreate.

O'Connor said she was not forcing contraception or sterilization on the mother, who had children with seven different men, nor requiring her to get an abortion should she become pregnant. But she warned that the woman could be jailed for contempt if she has another child.

The New York Civil Liberties Union maintained that the opinion cannot be enforced because it "tramples on a fundamental right -- the right to procreate."

"There is no question the circumstances of this case are deeply troubling," said the group's executive director, Donna Lieberman. "But ordering a woman under threat of jail not to have any more babies ... puts the court squarely in the bedroom. And that's no place for the government."

Thank you. Common Sense from a judge. Your drug addicted, and popping out kids like they we're rabbits.

If you cant take care of the kids you already have. You shouldnt be able to pop them out.

Vacate · 01-05-2005, 02:14 PM

I applaud his decision! That woman has no right having children--I mean, born with COCAINE in their system? Sickening. Those poor children.

**Avatar** · 01-05-2005, 02:24 PM

How do you uphold this decision? You can't be in her bedroom and make sure she doesn't have sex, so do you deny her medical rights once pregnant, then? Wouldn't that harm the fetus even more?

Lovesbitch · 01-05-2005, 03:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Avatar

How do you uphold this decision? You can't be in her bedroom and make sure she doesn't have sex, so do you deny her medical rights once pregnant, then? Wouldn't that harm the fetus even more?

No, I think what this means is she's breaking the courts order if she ends up pregnant again. Much like leaving the state when you are out on parol. She'll be legally punsiehd for it.

alli balli · 01-05-2005, 04:56 PM

Umm. I don't know. Obviously I don't think she should have any more children, and the ones she does have should be taken out of her "care"...but a court telling someone what to do with their body? Doesn't sit right with me.

Lexis · 01-05-2005, 07:26 PM

This is one of those awkward situations.

As much as I resent the fact the children are going through all this and the state is having to pick up the slack this woman is creating, the judgement is a little frightening.

I just don't know where to come down on it. Rationality says its wrong, my gut tells me its right. Ugh, I'm so glad I'm not a judge.

imajica · 01-05-2005, 08:07 PM

I hate the idea of this woman having any more kids but I am also very scared by the idea of a judge ordering someone to not have anymore children. Sounds like the start of a slippery slope to me.

TokyoNiGHTS · 01-06-2005, 01:02 AM

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Originally Posted by imajica

I hate the idea of this woman having any more kids but I am also very scared by the idea of a judge ordering someone to not have anymore children. Sounds like the start of a slippery slope to me.

As long as they do it based on logical things, then I think its ok. If your kids are constantly being born with drugs in their system, something needs to be done. If you're coming in for your 3rd or 4th abortion, something needs to be done. Some people just shouldn't have kids and there really needs to be away of stopping it. I'd go as far as saying that some judges should be allowed to order a woman to get her tubes tied to make sure it doesn't happen again.

ceilirose · 01-06-2005, 02:53 AM

This woman needs therapy instead of court orders. I don't agree with the court telling her what to do with her body unless they track down the fathers of these children and tell them to refrain from procreating as well.

Obvously she shouldn't have custody of these kids at this point but telling her to stop having them and thinking it's going to resonate with her is pretty unrealistic.

SuperDeluxe · 01-06-2005, 12:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Avatar

How do you uphold this decision? You can't be in her bedroom and make sure she doesn't have sex, so do you deny her medical rights once pregnant, then? Wouldn't that harm the fetus even more?

You cant stop her from getting pregnant (I think you should be able to force contraception)

But the judge can hold her in contempt of court, then she would be in jail and couldnt get banged to pop out more children that are scarred for life.

Not only is this woman ******ing up the lives of the children, she is also being a burden for the rest of us hardworking tax paying americans.

**Avatar** · 01-06-2005, 12:33 PM

Yeah, I saw that afterwards. But still, is jail the best place for a pregnant woman?

86amanda86 · 01-06-2005, 03:44 PM

This woman has no right to keep doing this to her children. If she won't stop on her own, somebody has to step in.

Sparrowhawk · 01-06-2005, 05:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 86amanda86

This woman has no right to keep doing this to her children. If she won't stop on her own, somebody has to step in.

However, none other has the right to step in.

86amanda86 · 01-06-2005, 08:06 PM

I disagree. It's illegal to give a child drugs or alchohol and as far as I know Its illegal to take Cocain, especially if it results in your unborn child being born addicted to these substances. The illegal activity must stop. If the court canymake her stop taking these substances then they can at least make her stop having chidren and hurting them with these addictions as well.

goodnightboy · 01-07-2005, 08:50 AM

It's a hard call to make. I think the judge was right because she definitely can't support herself or her kids; and continuing to procreate is harming the kids so much. However I think the woman should be counselled. Jail will only make her fearful of having more kids, but it won't tell her why. And without understanding you can't have full acceptance and change.


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