Well, my. "No crime has been committed," the media has been careful to say on several occasions. But a teen's baby boy has been removed from the home and is in foster care because she didn't get prenatal care and there were no medical visits for the infant after birth. He's three weeks old.
I have library books that have been out over three weeks. It's not a hugely long time period if you're not sick. At least I thought that. But according to some teen pregnancy educator, these people are extremely fortunate to EVEN be alive because there COULD have been complications. (And I COULD have gotten into a major car wreck by not hiring a professional driver on my last outing, too. What is wrong with me??)
And this. This is the CLINCHER. The media would like you to know that if you are pregnant and scared that there are alternatives like giving the baby up for adoption or leaving it at a hospital or "safe" home. In other words, don't try to keep or parent your own child. Just who do you think you are?
Mind you, the story IS weird. Girl hides her pregnancy from her family - how? - and then gives a story that the kid they are taking care of in the house is actually a fake simulation doll. I grant you the "adults" this chick lives with are stupid that they could not tell that Fake Robot Baby (does he have a name?) is really alive. My question would be how the baby was fed and diapered for all that time. If the baby were not fed and clothed or kept warm and safe, by all means the authorities have every right to intervene. Personally? I think it shows bad judgment not to at least attempt to have a midwife or just another mom who has had several children around and helping with the birth. Things can go wrong, that much is true. But people have been having babies all kinds of ways for thousands of years and meh. I have other things to fight about than my personal preferences. In some places, medical help is worse than no help at all and I have no idea about her insurance plan. I know in this metro, they call Truman Medical Center "The Gun and Knife Club" for a reason.
I wonder what will happen later in this story, but we'll never know. I guess "kid's mom gets a medical card, a job and a new apartment away from crazy family and things turn out OK" would be my hope, but stories like that don't sell copy.
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Look Out, Dad!!
My father is the purple dot above the blue weather station. He's juuust outside Milton's evacuation zone. Well! My brother and I jus...
too sad
ReplyDeleteVery strange, indeed. My concern would be if she was intent on hiding the pregnancy, then denied the birth and told he was a simulation doll...did she intend to keep him?
ReplyDeleteIt is pretty sad, Susan! Only imagine if your caregivers thought you were a robot. :(
ReplyDeleteBlondee, it hadn't even crossed my mind that she might not want the baby. If that is true, why don't we hear about a search for the father? They would need his permission before adopting him out, I would hope?
It's my understanding that the laws regarding finding and notifying an "uninvolved father" varies by state. Definitely a sad and strange story.
ReplyDeleteWe have missionary friends here that have four adopted kids. The youngest was born in a similar situation (as in the parents didn't know that the teenaged daughter was pregnant until she went into labor). She went into labor way too early, and he was born before an ambulance could get there - he suffered brain damage as a result of lack of oxygen. Our friends adopted him knowing that he would have major challenges. I just thought of them when I saw this because even now they are doing hospital tag team as they deal with his various health problems (transfusions, seizures, etc.). They are true heroes! I hope the little baby in this story will be cared for by someone who really wants and loves him!
*gasp* the mom gave up her kid after she figured out he had issues? Unspeakably evil and selfish. I am so sorry this little guy had such a start but you are right, your friends are the heroes.
ReplyDeleteThe more I hear stories like these, the more aware I am of just how much of the story has to be missing from this whole thing...
ReplyDelete~Luke
Oh, I sure hope so, Luke. Better not to report it at all rather than go off on the "the child had no medical care for three whole weeks" aspect of it. :)
ReplyDeleteThe tale speaks tales about the pressures of growing up today.. and the sensational nature of TV reporting!
ReplyDeleteI watched the TV News clip at http://www.myfoxtwincities.com/dpp/news/baby-placed-in-foster-care-after-teen-hides-birth-dec-8-2011
Hmmmmm....I have never seen an OB. And my babies have never been to a medical doctor.
ReplyDeleteOf course, I wouldn't be able to hide my pregnancy unless I could convince people that I'd taken up shoplifting watermelons.
Dad, mostly the sensational TV reporting... :)
ReplyDeleteDaja, honestly? I thought of you when I read this story. And I don't know of anyone who would accuse you of bad parenting. This teen seems a little reckless and ditzy (what if Grandma threw away the "robot," you know??) but not criminal. Who are these people, saying you MUST follow doctors' guidelines? Physicians have it *sweet* if they have that kind of lobbying power.
Much better in my opinion to have checked on mum and baby to see if they were well and coping, then offered help and regular checks if needed or wanted. Just taking a baby is wrong. Unless that baby is not being cared for or even abused.
ReplyDelete