Vegan mom arrested over unhealthy newborn fights for baby’s... | www.wftv.com w/ Update

There is a very fine line when the lives of children are put in jeopardy. It is why the legal debacle surrounding Makayla Sault is so hard to swallow. That issue, in the end comes down to the sovereignty of First Nation people. But if an adult wants to follow a particular religion, have a fondness for woo, or ignore normal medical care, that’s their decision. Once it begins to influence others – especially helpless infants – I would argue that’s where it is not just their decision.

A new mother is fighting for custody of her son, who she hasn't been alone with since he was 12 days old, because of her vegan beliefs.

Sarah Markham's baby was taken from her because she opted not to take him to the hospital when he was losing weight.

Instead, she told investigators she wanted to try feeding him vegan formula.

Now she's fighting to get him back while she faces criminal charges.

“They've kept a child away from mom,” said attorney Mark O’Mara. “My client can only see her child once a week or twice a week because they're requiring the child be out of county.”

Sarah Markham was arrested in June when her son was less than two weeks old. He had lost 10 percent of his body weight.

But instead of taking the boy to the hospital under doctors' orders, Markham wanted to try supplementing breast milk with vegan formula.

Markham is a Seventh-day Adventist, according to an arrest report, and holistic healing is in line with her beliefs.

Vegan mom arrested over unhealthy newborn fights for baby’s... | www.wftv.com

UPDATE::Vegan mom gets back custody of baby, still facing criminal charges

A mother accused of refusing to feed her underweight newborn formula was given back custody of her baby on Wednesday.

Sarah Markham was arrested in August on child neglect charges because she didn't want to feed the baby the formula the doctor gave her, citing her vegan beliefs, according to authorities.

Markham said the formula the doctor recommended to her had animal byproducts and wanted a vegan option.