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Unfortunately, there is never a shortage of news stories of parents abusing their children. This one has garnered the attention of the District Attorney in Washington County in Wisconsin.
A 20 year old woman is several months pregnant and is a habitual drug user. Apparently the police are quite familiar with her. They are taking this a step further and have issued a warrant for the arrest of the mother.
The news story talks about the health of the mother and what can happen if she continues to use drugs during her pregnancy. What about the baby? What will this child’s life be like if he or she is born drug exposed? What about being born drug addicted? My son was born drug exposed. I know firsthand how difficult it is to parent a child like this, but what about the difficulties the child will have growing up. As far as I know of, there is no cure for pre-natal drug exposure or for fetal alcohol. If this woman continues to drink and use drugs during the pregnancy she is damaging the child.
The other thing I wonder about is why the police and district attorney are so interested in this case? I am beyond thrilled that they want to intervene and get this mother into treatment, but why THIS mother? This happens every single day. This is not an isolated incident, so why THIS mother? Why not all the other mothers that continue to do this? What makes this case so special? What is not being reported? The news report says this type of case has not been filed in the last 10 years, which brings me right back to the same question – why THIS mother? You can’t tell me that this is the only mother in the last 10 years who has used drugs or alcohol in the county. We all know better.
Some mothers will change their behavior, but sadly, many will not. Sammy’s birth mother gave birth to five boys. Every one of them has pre-natal drug and alcohol exposure issues. She voluntarily admits to this and we have seen it in the facial features of the boys, as well as the behaviors. I have never met the youngest boy, but the mom of one of Sammy’s brothers has, and the issues are the same.
Is it the drugs that this mother is using during the pregnancy? She has tested positive for cocaine and marijuana. This tells me a couple of things. This mother was in a position to be tested or need to be tested for drugs, so the police had her in custody at some point. She is also wanted on a drunk driving citation. In order to issue a drunk driving citation, you have to have actually been pulled over by an officer. Again, this means that the officers had her in custody at some point. So why are they now looking for her?
The substances this mother used or is using are the same ones Sammy’s mom used and continues to use. She was never arrested for her use. Maybe if she had been, the other three boys born after Sammy might not have suffered so much.
I wish all district attorneys everywhere would take as much interest in all the mothers who are drinking and using during a pregnancy. There are plenty of them out there. I can’t help but wonder what else is going to come out about this case.
I am originally from Anchorage Alaska. I have been working in non profit since I was 17 helping individuals living with dissabiliities. The thing I found so sad while working there was that a good percentage of our clients’ dissabilities could have been completely avoided if the mothers had just stayed sober during their pregnancy. My aunt (an angel in a human’s body) started foster care for a young toddler from one of the villages. He was the baby of 11 and every single child suffered from moderate to severe FAS (among other things) him being the worst, unable to speak, focus his eyes or even eat! How could society allow this! My aunt has now adopted 3 of the 11 children including that little boy. I must also say that with her care and nurture he can now walk, use simple sign language, and is able to eat soft foods he is also 5 years old. I am a huge supporter in intervention of mothers who use drugs and alcohol while pregnant. I feel it is the ultimate form of child abuse. The child cannot defend themself in any way, forced to suck up the poison their mothers are feeding them! In Alaska, Alcohol and Substance abuse is very prevelant especially in the villages. The native community has finally had enough of their youg getting poisoned and have began encarcerating pregnant woman who refuse to stop their substance abuse, releasing them after the birth of their baby. I hope it continues and I hope other pick up on the idea. It is our resposibility to protect our future.