Okla. Woman Accused of Giving Birth Drunk

[Champ]

BARTLESVILLE, Okla. (AP) - A woman has been arrested on child neglect charges after giving birth while drunk, police said. Melissa Irene Tanner, 37, is accused of having a blood alcohol content close to three times the legal limit when she gave birth to a baby girl on June 30.

She is being held in jail with bail set at $30,000 and the baby has been placed in foster care.

The baby was not breathing upon birth and had to be administered a medication to counteract any narcotics that may have been present in the child's system. After an emergency procedure by hospital staff, the child started breathing.

Tanner reportedly has six other children. According to a July 11 probable cause affidavit filed in the case, Tanner told police she and another person had consumed a case of beer.
http://cnn.netscape.cnn.com/ns/news/story.jsp?idq=/ff/story/0001/20050714/2229651649.htm

[Not_Giving_Up]

1. She has six other children

No wonder she's drinking!

Seriously, that is awful!

[WildClarySage]

2. Jeez, I sure as hell don't want to face labor sober...

[napi21]

3. Well, if it was her alcohol level was the cause of the baby not

breathing after birth, that's definately very wrong! However, I have a few problems with the report.

1. babies are NOT born breathing!

2. Medication was given to the baby to "counteract any narcotics that may have been present in the child's system." Now, why did they say MAY BE PRESENT?

I don't think pregnanat woment should consume any alcohol. I didn't when I was pregnant with either of my two boys, and I made that decision because there were reports that it could harm the baby. It DIDN'T say WOULD, but I didn't want to take the chance.

I might also add, thinking back on the birthing experience and barring any ill effects on the baby, I whish I would have been drunk!!!! It sure would have been an easier experience!

I'm not sure it's right to have taken her baby and a have her in jail.

[dean_dem]

4. She and this mother ought to get together.