The following article is from WESH.com:
by Christal Hayes
CASSELBERRY, Fla. —A Casselberry mother was arrested on Tuesday after her newborn's pediatrician reported her to police for not admitting the unhealthy newborn to the hospital.
During an appointment with a pediatrician for her newborn baby, Sarah Anne Markham, 23, was told that her 12-day-old child was dehydrated and needed to be admitted to the Florida Hospital South within one hour. The doctor also provided medicine for the child.
The newborn was also losing weight instead of gaining weight. The pediatrician notified police after Markham failed to have the newborn admitted.
For over an hour, police tried to make contact with Markham at her apartment, in which she was believed to be inside, but they were unable to.
Police then contacted a locksmith so they could gain access to the unhealthy newborn.
Upon opening the door, Markham told police she didn't think she had to answer or acknowledge police presence.
Police said that she told them she wanted to get a second opinion on her newborn's health. She said she didn't believe that the child was dehydrated because it was having regular bowel movements.
Markham told police she wanted to pursue a religion-based treatment and she had contacted a “natural” or vegan doctor, but police said she did not share any proof of this to them.
Markham said she purchased organic soy formula from Whole Foods to replace the medicine provided from the pediatrician. She told police that she refused to use the medicine because it contained ingredients that came from animals.
Police said they asked Markham if the product was confirmed with a doctor that it was safe to give the newborn, and she replied saying that since it was organic, it must be OK.
Markham agreed to take the newborn to the hospital but told police it was because she felt she had no other choice.
Markham was placed under arrest for child neglect without great bodily harm.
Markham was released from jail Wednesday afternoon, but her child is now in protective custody.
Source: Wesh.com
Posted by Haylie Shipp
