Hi All,
the general consensus is that the Judge in this case has to go. See the articles here: Omaha court case widens from screening test to baby’s meals and the comics here: I don’t recognize it! and How can any mother sleep?! and this comment left on my blog (thanks typogirl!)

I do know of Judge Elizabeth Crnkovich though. I had a run-in with her as a juvenile and she was indeed very mean. She has a nickname here as, well, take the last syllable of her name (which is pronounced “Sern-ko-vitch”) and rhyme it starting with a B, and… I think you get it…

…I understand both the state law’s point of view, as well as that of the parents, I ABSOLUTELY think that Judge Crnkovich’s ruling was ENTIRELY UNFAIR, and yes, even cruel. But if you ever met her yourself, this would come as no surprise (I was not at all shocked when I read that she was the one who did this), as you would know that she is a heartless, ice-cold woman. Couldn’t the parents have been just ordered to comply or be given a fine or community service or something? To take away their child, and not allowed to breastfeed, even against the recommendations of the social worker, is just ridiculous!

My Friend Genevieve asked her legal expert sister (thanks Rachel!) and was told that this is what we should do:

People should write directly to the judicial council of the state where the judge sits. That is the real problem there. And they should also write to the papers and make the issue the JUDGE. That is who made that ruling - not the law.

Write to this Council about how disappointed you are about the Judge’s actions, and how you feel they should remove her from the courts for acting outside of the law:

Nebraska Judicial Council
Administrative Office of the Courts
1445 K Street
1213 State Capitol
P. O. Box 98910
Lincoln, NE 68509-8910
Phone: 402-471-3730
Fax: 402-471-2197

and the Nebraska newspaper that carried the story:

Omaha World Herald

Public Pulse
If you have a general comment about information in a news story in The World-Herald, send it to the Public Pulse editor, e-mail pulse@owh.com or fax (402)345-4547.

Mailing address:
Omaha World-Herald
attn: Larry King
1314 Douglas, Suite 700
Omaha, NE 68102

and while you’re at it, perhaps a letter about the story to your hometown paper?

Here’s the address for the Judge (thanks Heather!) You will be writing directly to her…I would urge you to write to her superiors and then send her a copy ;o)

Judge Elizabeth Crnkovich
Suite 600
Hall of Justice
1701 Farnam Street
Omaha NE 68183

Here’s a sample letter that the mother has asked for us to use when writing to complain (thanks Sora!)

The Anaya family has been trying to get Nebraska’s law changed for years. The Nebraska Senate Health and Human Services Committee Is the place to write to make sure this doesn’t happen again (though that won’t give the anti-breastfeeding judge the comeuppance she so richly deserves.):

The Nebraska Senate Health and Human Services Committee
Main Switchboard - 402-471-3121
Physical Address
301 Centennial Mall South, Lincoln, Nebraska
Mailing Address
Nebraska Department of Health & Human Services
P.O. Box 95026, Lincoln, Nebraska 68509-5026

Questions or concerns about DHHS system.information@dhhs.ne.gov
402-471-6035 OR 1-800-254-4202

Mary Anaya has provided this sample letter to the Senators, with permission to use it and pass it on. It will, of course, be more effective if it is personalized before you send it.
Here’s where you go to find the Senator’s addresses

Dear State Senator,

I am horrified at what has happened to the Anaya family as a result of the failure of the health and human services committee to move forward on LB 250 to provide a religious exemption to newborn screening. 46 other states have exemptions. There is no reason why Nebraska should waste tax payer money prosecuting loving parents who do not wish to participate in newborn screening. This family has suffered enough.

Please pass LB 250 or better yet make an exemption for people with religious or philosophical objections to newborn screening. This issue will not go away. In all the other states that offer exemptions, I have never seen it reported that a family refused testing and their child later had one of the diseases. Do not let this family or others suffer needlessly. The freedom to exercise religion is guaranteed by the First Amendment and in Nebraska people are supposed to have the right to conscience. The current screening laws are unconstitutional on both the federal and state level.

People will not want to live in Nebraska with all the bad publicity it receives for laws that are out of step with the nation.

I hope that helps!

Love,
Heather