This is a lovely album of lullabye-ish songs…I especially LOVE ‘welcome to this world’ (thanks Melissa! it’s playing on her myspace page ;o) and you can go here: Renee’s Myspace profile to download any/all of the songs. I really really wanted Welcome to the World to play on my blog, but I couldn’t figure out how…so go to their page, download the song (come on! it’s only .99!) and play it while you check out my site ;o) Go on, it’ll be fun!

Love,
Heather

Here’s the story in case you came in late ;o)

Here’s the address for complaints:

Commission on Judicial Qualifications
ATTN: Secretary
Nebraska Supreme Court
PO Box 98910
Lincoln, Nebraska 68509

Please mail in an envelope marked CONFIDENTIAL

If you would like to use a form: Complaint PDF

Here’s a link to the Court’s Code of Conduct! (thanks Rachel, via Genevieve!):
http://www.supremecourt.ne.gov/rules/pdf/judcon-30.pdf

Love,
Heather

Ps. here’s another blogger writing about the case Whose Kids Are They?

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

This happened while I was on vacation…Omaha court case widens from screening test to baby’s meals…

A judge ordered that 6-week-old Joel Anaya, whose hungry cries interrupted Friday’s court hearing, be administered the state-mandated newborn screening test his parents object to and remain in foster care until the test results are received, despite the mother’s wishes to continue nursing the boy.

The baby is back with the mother now Blood test done on Omaha baby, but fight isn’t over

Despite the objections of Josue Anaya and his wife, Mary, Joel’s blood was drawn Friday and screened for medical conditions, as required by state law. The tests screen for a variety of conditions, including cystic fibrosis and sickle cell disease, which could lead to mental retardation or death.

Joel had been in state custody since Oct. 10 when a petition was filed in Douglas County Juvenile Court alleging the Anayas put their son at risk by not having him screened.

Following a court order, Joel remained in foster care until the preliminary test results were received Tuesday and showed the baby was not predisposed to any of the disorders, the Anayas’ attorney said. The Anayas then were reunited with their son, and prosecutors dismissed the case.

Joel’s parents say they object to the blood withdrawal because of their religious beliefs and conscience. They believe in certain Scriptures that say life is in the blood.

Joel Anaya, 6 weeks old, is cuddled by his mother, Mary, who is also holding Justus, 23 months. Patting Joel’s face is Rosa, 4. James, 8, is at left. Juda, 10, is at right. The family reunion also included father Josue and the five other children.
Attorney Jeff Downing, who represents the Anayas, said it was appalling that Joel’s blood was drawn before the Anayas had an opportunity to appeal the judge’s decision.

“We can’t undo what was done,” Downing said. “But from a legal standpoint, we have a right to appeal.”

They are considering filing an appeal, either in Douglas County District Court or the Nebraska Court of Appeals, he said.

Judge Elizabeth Crnkovich was not looking out for the child’s best interests in Friday’s court hearing, Downing said, criticizing her comment that it was inappropriate to allow Mary Anaya the frequent visits needed to breastfeed Joel at every meal.

Not allowing Mary Anaya to consistently breastfeed Joel during the critical first few weeks of attachment put him at greater risk than the chance that he had one of the diseases being screened for, Downing said.

She was allowed some visits and was able to nurse the baby during those times.

Thank you Eva A. and Sora for the story…

this from the mother: “Even though the social workers wrote us a glowing report recommending immediate reunification and they have already done the blood test, the judge refused to return custody until the test results are in. The judge recommended to the social workers that I only be allowed to visit 3-4 times during the day. She was angry that the first day I had been allowed to nurse 9 times. She said no night visits. Joel had never received a bottle before her ruling on Friday. I can not begin to explain the judge’s cruelty.”

It’s hard to know what to say, but it seems clear that we should all speak out so that this will not happen again.

Love,
Heather

Charlotte Church talks about her homebirth and breastfeeding, all in all a very good interview! (thanks RoseRed!) and more alternative parenting news from the UK, is anyone following this? Bringing Up Baby and some controversy
Baby Guru Steps Up Pressure
How’s the Continuum Concept mama doing?

Love,
Heather