Temecia and Rodney Jackson have been fighting to get their newborn daughter back for a week after a Dallas doctor called Child Protective Services on the married couple due to concerns over their treatment of a common condition found in infants.
According to reports, the Jacksons took their newborn, Mila, in for a routine checkup two weeks ago and discovered that she had jaundice. Mila was born last month on March 21.
Jaundice occurs because a baby’s liver isn’t mature enough to get rid of bilirubin in the bloodstream. It is a common condition in newborns that results in the yellowing of their skin and the whites of the eyes. Jaundice in newborns can clear up without treatment in one to two weeks, but more severe cases require phototherapy treatment.
The Jacksons opted to have a licensed midwife, Cheryl Edinbyrd, do an at-home treatment for their newborn because of concerns with the treatment of Black people in the American health care system. Dr. Anand Bhatt, the family’s pediatrician, said the case was severe enough for the newborn to be taken to the hospital for phototherapy, according to a letter he wrote to CPS that was published by WFAA News.
“This child was being nurtured. This child was being supported. And this child was being loved. And this child was kidnapped,” Edinbyrd said.
Bhatt was concerned that the family had the wrong lights for the treatment. The couple attempted to connect Bhatt with their midwife, but he explained that he had trouble contacting the Jacksons directly.
“Several hours later into the night, [Dr. Bhatt] texts my phone very aggressive — take her to the hospital, or he’s calling CPS,” Temecia Jackson said of messages she received from the doctor.
Bhatt then decided to report them to CPS “after trying 10 attempts to appeal to the family through phone calls, text messages and leaving voicemails as they did not pick up the phone.”
“Parents are very loving, and they care…
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