New Jersey

Court Sides With New Jersey Mom Who Gave Birth While on Methadone

New Jersey's Supreme Court has ruled that a woman can't be considered to have abused and neglected her child because the infant was born with symptoms of methadone withdrawal.

The ruling published Monday reverses an appeals court's decision that recommended placing the baby in the state's care.

The woman, identified by a pseudonym in court documents, had become addicted to a prescription painkiller after she was injured in a car accident. When she became pregnant, she was advised to take methadone because to suddenly stop taking the painkiller could jeopardize her pregnancy.

A family court judge ruled in favor of the state and cited other factors including a domestic violence incident. Monday's Supreme Court ruling faulted the appellate court for upholding that decision based solely on the baby's withdrawal symptoms.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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