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Update on Florida ER Doc who lost temporary custody

notsurehowtodeal's picture

CNN has a more extensive article on the case. It seems the father and the court are being reasonable. The father is offering make up time. From the temporary court order:

"The Court does not enter this Order lightly but given the pandemic in Florida and the recent increase in confirmed COVID-19 cases, the Court finds in order to insulate and protect the best interests and health of the minor child, this Order must be entered on a temporary basis," the judge wrote in the court ruling.

From the father's attorney:

"We recognize and genuinely appreciate the sacrifices that she and all healthcare workers are all currently making to save lives and prevent further illness in Florida and around the world. The Greenes' temporary timesharing dispute was presented before the Court based upon the specific facts of this individual family and a decision was reached based upon the best interests and safety of a minor child, limited to the temporary circumstances presented by COVID-19. The Court's ruling was not intended to serve as a blanket rule, nor should it. Pursuant to Mr. Greene's request and as ordered by the Court, Dr. Greene is to be provided future make-up timesharing for each day missed during this challenging time and daily video communication with the child. We will continue to pursue ways to resolve this delicate situation and believe that a result can be achieved safely and fairly," Leinoff wrote.

https://www.cnn.com/2020/04/13/us/custody-coronavirus-er-doctor-trnd/ind...

Comments

Monkeysee's picture

It’s nice to see a judge rule in favour of what’s best for the child’s health this way. I’m sure it wasn’t an easy decision and I’m glad to see that time will be made up after the fact, as well as the video calls. I feel for the woman, and for all parents who are separated from their children, but I stand by the science behind social distancing. 

still learning's picture

The mother is appealing the decision and I hope it's overturned.  Is her child going to get removed from her care every winter now when the flu, coronavirus, and other things come around. Coronavirus is here to stay, there will eventually be a vaccine but this could be seasonal like so many things.  Will she be unfit to parent every year due to her line of work? The video said that she'd tested negative for the virus. Did they test the father and everyone in his household as well? Some sources say that this virus could have been in the US as early as last October. Why didn't the kid get removed in January when this was becoming a real issue here in the US.  

How is it right to remove a child from a home due to a parents legitimate job?  If this is the case then CPS needs to go in and remove all children of healthcare worker in New York where over 10k people have died.  

There has to be some law that has been broken because the doctor went to every legnth to protect herself and her child and did nothing wrong.  How do we know dad is wearing a mask when out washing his hands after he gets home? The rash ruling was made from fear not facts.  

Oh the irony if the father were to catch it.  

Monkeysee's picture

There are vaccines for the flu and will be one for COVID, so the argument about the child being removed seasonally is a stretch. There’s a difference between a seasonal illness and a global pandemic. 

Since when has a court ruling on one specific case become a blanket statement for all families with healthcare workers? Also, why would the child have been removed in January, these parents went to court and the mum lost. Had dad taken mum to court in January it easily could have been a different outcome, but that’s not what happened so I don’t understand that line of questioning. 

Kids get removed from homes all the time, this is temporary, and time will be made up after the fact. I cannot understand why someone, especially someone with a medical degree, would want to take that risk with their kids. Although health professionals all over the place have been found breaking social distancing rules, so maybe she is one of the ones who thinks her degree and expertise will prevent transmission. I have no idea. 

I feel for her, I really do, but I agree with what’s been done.

Livingoutloud's picture

This is global pandemics. Not a regular seasonal outbreak. This is a different situation.  

beebeel's picture

The child wasn't "removed" from her home. The judge **temporarily** changed the custody order. No laws were broken. The judge did his/her job. Just another bm who believes her "rights" as THE MOTHER supersede the father, emergencies and a global crisis. 

Winterglow's picture

" the doctor went to every legnth to protect herself and her child and did nothing wrong"

Where I live there are health staff sleeping in their cars because they're afraid to go home and contaminate their families. We have swimming pools opening up for health staff where they can leave their work clothes, have a shower, change into clean clothes and then go home. There are also hotels that have re-opened simply to supply health workers with a place (free of cost) to sleep, shower and get some rest without having to worry about going home and risking the health of their nearest and dearest. 

 

beebeel's picture

Right? I would think "every length" to protect her daughter would include temporarily isolating herself from the child. I get it. My kiddo is about to turn 4 and I would be devastated to be separated from him. But if it meant he would be safer? You bet your ass I would go to "every lengths" to do so.

HowBoutScottyDont's picture

I know this must be awful for the mom, truly. But a LOT of parents in the medical field are living separately from the children and spouses because of how contagious and deadly this virus can be. It's new, and no one has a good handle on it.  She will get daily chats, and makeup time. I think it's reasonable and far safer for her 4 year old. And a decision she should have made without being forced.

Livingoutloud's picture

sadly she had to be forced because she chose to fight in court instead of simply exercising some reason for her child's safety. This is the time when loving ones child means you have to make a sacrifice for their safety. And you got to love your child more than hating your ex or wanting to win in court. It is a sad situation for mom of course, but this is global pandemics, things need to be done to stop spreading covid19

Cooooookies's picture

Well, I mean, we have several posts here saying exactly this.  Don't flip flop the kids between homes.  Don't care what the CO says, they need to stay put and stay safe.  In this case, this child is safest with dad because of mom's profession.  I mean, how many videos have you watched of nurses, in tears, because they have left the family home so that their children (hopefully) do not catch the virus and stay healthy?

I might get slammed for this but I have to agree.  If I were a doctor or nurse, I'd do the same.  Heck, I work in a hospital.  If DH had small children, I'd be considering somewhere else to stay.  Why?  Because of the 39 mother of 3 nurse that died of C19 that had no underlying health issues.  Because of the 40 year old physically fit and healthy man who died of C19.  In my hospital.

This virus is affecting everyone and I'd want to keep my children safe as possible.  My DS19 still works at a restaurant that has a drive-thru open only and it scares me.  He is allergic to just about everything on Earth and has bad asthma.  If I could pay his bills to keep him safe, I would.  This is no joke.

And don't say "well every illness and you could say this..."  Every illness does NOT do what coronavirus is doing.  No way.

SacrificialLamb's picture

I completely agree. I would want to reduce the risk to my child. The mother says the child will think she abandoned her. There are many ways to alleviate that, including video calls. Explaining that mommy has a job where she has to be very careful and she loves her and doesn't want her to catch it. How much time does she have now anyway?