A recent lawsuit filed against the Vermont Department for Children and Families, a counseling center, and a hospital has brought to light concerning allegations of the state's treatment of pregnant women. The lawsuit, brought forth by the ACLU of Vermont and Pregnancy Justice, accuses the child welfare agency of using baseless claims about a pregnant woman's mental health to conduct a secret investigation and gain custody of her daughter before the baby was born.
The complaint outlines how the agency allegedly targeted the woman, identified as A.V., based on information provided by a homeless shelter director regarding her mental health. Despite lacking jurisdiction over fetuses, the state reportedly conducted investigations involving the woman's counselor, midwife, and hospital social worker without her knowledge.
The lawsuit reveals that the woman was unaware of these actions until she gave birth, at which point her baby was immediately taken away. Hospital officials were said to have shared updates with the state during her labor, leading to the temporary custody of the fetus. The state even sought a court order for a cesarean section, which became unnecessary as the woman agreed to the surgery. It took her seven months to regain full custody of her daughter.
The ACLU attorney involved in the case described the situation as horrific and suggested that the agency has a history of targeting pregnant individuals deemed of interest based on unofficial criteria. The Vermont Department for Children and Families has yet to respond to the allegations, emphasizing their commitment to protecting children while respecting parental rights.
The lawsuit also implicates Copley Hospital and Lund, the counseling center, in the alleged surveillance and tracking of pregnant women. While the hospital declined to comment, the counseling center expressed a commitment to investigating the matter further.
Pregnancy Justice highlighted the broader issue of using pregnancy as a pretext to infringe on individuals' rights, citing instances of civil commitment of pregnant people in other states. The organization emphasized the need for Vermont to uphold reproductive autonomy rights and set an example for other states.
The case in Vermont has raised concerns about the state's reputation as a champion of reproductive rights. The ACLU attorney underscored the alarming nature of the allegations, pointing to potential collusion between state agencies and medical providers to gather information without consent.
