A judge ruled Lynn Stuckey, shown here reading to
her 8-year-old son, subjected the boy to stress and emotional harm by
continuing to breast feed him and appearing on television to discuss it.
(ABCNEWS.com)
Breast-Feeding Mother
Restricted
Judge Intervenes in Case of Mother Who Breast-Fed 8-Year-Old
The Associated Press
U R B A N A,
Ill., Nov. 22
A judge gave the state legal guardianship
today of an 8-year-old boy whose mother was breast-feeding him as
recently as last year.
Lynn Stuckey, 34, will retain custody of the boy. Judge John DeLaMar
said she had not abused the boy in any way, but made bad decisions that
could cause him long-term emotional harm.
The judge said the state Department of Children and Family Services
will handle counseling or legal matters affecting the boy. Stuckey will
continue to handle day-to-day care.
She said he stopped breast-feeding her son last summer.
DeLaMar said Stuckey's most misguided decision was appearing on ABC's
Good Morning America program to promote her philosophy of letting
her son slowly wean himself from breast feeding. The program included
footage of her breast-feeding the boy while reading to him.
The appearance created "almost prurient interest" and subjected her
son to stress and emotional harm, the judge said.
"I hope you've learned some painful lessons," DeLaMar said.
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