This plea for help requires a rapid response *not* on this list but directly
to the family, preferably from someone local.  Can anyone help this family?

------- Forwarded Message Follows -------
From:          Jdyholiday <[log in to unmask]>
Date:          Mon, 19 Jan 1998 16:54:11 EST
To:            [log in to unmask]
Cc:            [log in to unmask]
Subject:       Need Help
Organization:  AOL (http://www.aol.com)

Hello.  Briefly -  my best friend's sister is having a big problem.  She and her
husband live in Sharon, WI.  They have 5 children.  The mom breastfeeds. Their
youngest child, a boy around 4 mos. old, was abruptly TAKEN from them by local
child welfare authorities.  They considered him underweight and admitted him
without parental permission to the hospital.  They forced the mom to stop
breastfeeding (it's been about 2 weeks) and allowed the parents only brief
SUPERVISED visits.  The welfare authorities gained access to the family's
business via their participation in a WIC program that provides supplemental
milk and cereal etc..  The family is not on welfare.  There is a hearing
tomorrow to determine if the parents get their child back.  The welfare people
have informed the parents that they intend to pursue custody of some or all of
the other children based on their "low weights" when they were very young. What
the gov't. agency is not paying attention to is that the mother is delicately
boned and that this is a matter of genetics and not abuse.  These are really
good parents and they are being put through hell.  What I am seeking from you is
a quote from a doctor out of a book or published paper stating that the fact
that the little boy gained two pounds rapidly on formula is to be expected but
isn't the best kind of nutrition for the infant.  I hope I'm wording this
correctly.  If they had a published doctor's statement helping to show that just
because the baby gained weight rapidly on formula is not proof of neglect on the
part of the parents.  The baby was in good health at home (their physician has
written them a statement to that affect) and the hospital hasn't found anything
wrong with him although they are still holding him which makes me wonder if they
aren't trying to make a false statement to the court.  The child is officially
part of the foster system.  Please help us get him out of there if you can.  The
child welfare people were very upset with the mom prior to their taking of the
infant because she refused to give up breastfeeding and use formula as they were
pressing her to.  They were also bugged that she wouldn't take the baby to the
doctor they wanted, she instead took the baby to the doctor of her choice.
Thank you for your help.  Whatever you email me, I will forward to her
immediately.  If you can't help, please pray - that's the best kind of help.
Alice