Doctor loses custody of daughter over coronavirus infection fears
An emergency room doctor treating patients with COVID-19 in Florida has reportedly lost custody of her daughter until the pandemic is over.
Doctor Theresa Greene shares custody of her 4-year-old daughter with her ex-husband Eric Greene and despite the mother testing negative for coronavirus, the girl’s father asked a court for an emergency order seeking for sole custody of their daughter.
And his application was granted it, according to NBC Miami.
The court documents state that the decision is temporary and is only due to the COVID-19 impact in Florida.
“In order to protect the best interests of the minor child, including but not limited to the minor child’s safety and welfare, this court temporarily suspends the former wife’s timesharing until further order of the court. The suspension is solely related to the outbreak of COVID-19,” the documents reportedly stated.
There are currently more than 21,600 cases of coronavirus in the state of Florida, with just over 500 deaths.
Dr Greene told NBC Miami, also known as NBC 6, the move was “discrimination against divorced parents”.
“I’m just shocked that the judge would take this stance without talking to medical experts and knowing the facts, and taking it so lightly that he could just take my child from me and not think about that effect on her, and her mental and psychological well being,” she told the network.
The distressed mother said she can always shower when she comes home but now she is unable to hug her daughter.
The doctor said she has heard of colleagues facing similar situations.
“I know I’m not alone, first responders, nurses, so many people in this position who, because they’re divorced, their children are suffering and they're being told they can’t see them, and it’s just not fair.
“We’re there on the front lines, we’re risking our lives and to take our children away from us, I just think it’s so cruel,” she said.
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