Woman gives birth inside NYC courtroom ‘while handcuffed after 24 hours in custody’
www.independent.co.uk
Public defenders demand urgent investigation after 33-year-old woman ‘in shackles’ delivers child inside Brooklyn courthouse

A woman was left “traumatized and humiliated” after being forced to give birth while handcuffed to a bench inside a New York courtroom after being held in custody for over 24 hours, a legal aid group has said.

Samantha Randazzo, 33, went into labor and was forced to deliver her child on a courtroom bench in Brooklyn on Friday “without adequate medical care, privacy, or dignity,” according to a statement from a group of public defenders and legal advocates.

Randazzo was surrounded by law enforcement, prosecutors and courtroom staff, some of whom reportedly laughed and joked at the situation, the group claimed. “She deserved care, compassion, safety, and dignity. Instead, she was subjected to trauma and humiliation in full public view,” the statement read.

The Independent has requested comment from the New York courts system.

  • NewNewAugustEast@lemmy.zip
    163·
    2 days ago

    So am I reading this right? That her own lawyer (I get that it is likely a public defender) is disputing what the group said and claims that the room was cleared quickly because she just went into labor suddenly?

    Also, this makes me curious about heroin, I would imagine it would delay labor, and being off it could return to a normal cycle? Before the god awful withdrawal kicks in.

    I am not defending this situation, I am just curious as the article has a lot going on in it. In a decent society maybe she wouldn’t have gotten to the point where a building is going after her for trespass, and she would get help with her addiction before becoming a mother. And not having to be in court at 9 months pregnant.