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Judge 'Humiliates' Breastfeeding Mom

Laws don't apply in courtroom, he says

By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff

Posted Nov 15, 2011 2:00 AM CST

(Newser) – A Michigan mother says she was humiliated by a judge who told her breastfeeding in his courtroom was inappropriate. Natalie Hegedus, who was fighting a boating ticket, says she brought her 5-month-old son, who was getting over a fever, to court with her and fed him discreetly in the back of the courtroom before her case was called. When she was called up, the judge asked her if she thought what she was doing was appropriate, WoodTV reports.

When Hegedus told the judge that what she was doing wasn't illegal, he responded, "It's my courtroom, I decide what's appropriate in here," the court transcript states. "The laws don't apply in a courtroom, the judge's law applies, do you understand that?" Hegedus says the exchange almost left her in tears and she was upset further when she learned that a female courtroom assistant had handed the judge a note saying “There's a woman breastfeeding in court, my God!”

Mom nursed son discreetly in back as she waiting to answer a boating ticket.
Mom nursed son discreetly in back as she waiting to answer a boating ticket.   (?moppet65535)
Ma'am, it's my courtroom, I decide what's appropriate in here, the judge said.
"Ma'am, it's my courtroom, I decide what's appropriate in here," the judge said.   (Shutterstock)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 122 comments
lvan
Nov 16, 2011 11:44 AM CST
Respect for the law after this?! I wanna see that tunic wearing mofo starve to death. Respect nature or get the fuck off my planet.
Naked_Emperor
Nov 16, 2011 10:37 AM CST
completely inappropriate.  use a breast pump at home, and bottle feed in public.
Reading
Nov 16, 2011 2:43 AM CST
Some people here seem like they would fit right in the Victorian era. Behold their delicate senses lest you offend them with a nursing breast!  I wonder if they talk about sex at all? Heavens no. That is a topic that is not discussed in a civilized society. 
 

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