The Michigan mother sent to jail after refusing to comply with a court order to vaccinate her 9-year old son has more legal woes. Rebecca Bredow lost primary custody of the boy Wednesday. She will now split custody 50/50 with the child's father James Horne.
Before Bredow went to jail, she had primary custody. She was released from the Oakland County jail early Monday. She thought she would be reunited with her son, but he remained with his father. While she was in jail, Horne was granted temporary custody of their son, and the boy received four immunizations Monday.
A referee assigned to the custody case decided the boy's father should have joint custody. Judge Karen McDonald who sent Bredow to jail for not complying with her order, agreed, and approved the referee's recommendation.
The mother left mediation Wednesday devastated. "Today was supposed to be a review on vaccinations," Bredow said. "I wasn't expecting to lose primary custody today of my son. I feel a bit spun around and in shock expecting him to come home today and I'm a little upset."
Horne wanted his son to be vaccinated. Bredow says she and her ex agreed at one time to have the vaccinations, but her views on the issue has since changed. She says the vaccinations go against her religious beliefs.
Bredow also said being locked up in the Oakland County jail for five days was the worst experience of her life. "The conditions in Oakland County Jail, they're awful," Bredow said."You know, it was the worst five day of my life pretty much, you know, except for the fact that I just found out he was vaccinated and I'm not getting him back today, you know? To top that off -- it's been a rough few days."
Bredow was sentenced to seven days but was credited one day of service after serving five days, and was released on the morning of her sixth day.
Horne has had visitation with his son every other weekend and on Wednesdays, but now the two parents are to split custody 50/50. Bredow's attorney says she is devastated by the ruling and will appeal.
PaidShillaryBot on October 12nd, 2017 at 23:33 UTC »
To clear this up for come commenters: no the government is not jailing parents who refuse to vaccinate their kids.
This woman agreed in a consent order with her ex-husband that she would vaccinate their child. She violated the order by not vaccinating her child. Consent orders are legally binding, violating them can result in jail time for contempt and loss of custody. Or in her case, both.
Mitchuation on October 12nd, 2017 at 23:02 UTC »
How is 50/50 ever seen as unfair by anyone? Why is the expected norm that a mother should receive more than 50% care time if the father is able and willing to do the 50 %
BPNave on October 12nd, 2017 at 22:45 UTC »
How this reads (to most people, who sadly don't know what primary custody means or completely skimmed over it): "She'll never be able to see her son again!"
What "loses primary custody" actually means: "She will split custody with her son's biological father."
EDIT: IANAL I Am Not A Lawyer, I just read the article.