Rebecca Firlit, a Chicago mother, expected that proceedings would focus on child support when she joined a virtual court hearing earlier in the month.
The judge had other plans.
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"One of his first questions was. . . Firlit, 39 years old, stated that the question was "whether or not I had been vaccinated."
She said she was not. She explained that she had previously experienced adverse reactions to vaccines and that her doctor advised against the coronavirus vaccine.
She added, "It poses an inherent risk."
James Shapiro, Cook County Judge, made an unusual decision that the parents' lawyers called a landmark. He said that the mother couldn't see her son at 11 years old until she had received the vaccine.
According to the Sun-Times, the child's father has been vaccinated.
Video: Trump gets booed after telling the crowd to get vaccinated
Firlit appeals the judge's decision. Annette Fernholz, Firlit's attorney, did not respond to a request by The Washington Post late Sunday for comment. She stated that the ruling was excessive.
Fernholz stated that the father didn't bring the matter before the court. Fernholz stated, "So the judge is making this decision on his own that you cannot see your child until they are vaccinated."
In other states, judges have given lesser sentences to defendants who choose to get the vaccine or made the vaccination a condition for release. Some defendants were offered the chance to get the vaccine by a judge at the 19th Judicial District Court East Baton Rouge.
Two Ohio judges have ordered that certain people get the vaccine as part of their probation. Two Georgia judges have reduced sentences for certain offenders who receive the vaccine. New York judges have ordered defendants in Manhattan and Bronx to get the vaccine, as part of their rehabilitation, and as a condition of seeking bail.
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The Chicago judge's decision seems to be the first. WFLD reports that Firlit and Matthew Duiven have been divorcing for seven years. According to court documents, Firlit and Matthew Duiven have been divorcing for seven years.
The Post reached out to Duiven and Firlit late Sunday night for comments.
Firlit's lawyer stated that the hearing on August 10 had nothing to do in revising the custody arrangement. Therefore, no one expected the judge to ask the mother of the boy if she was vaccinated. Firlit stated that she was confused by the question of the judge.
She told the Sun-Times that she was confused as it was supposed to be about child support and expenses. "I asked him about the hearing and he replied that he was the judge and made the decisions in your case."
After she had been fully inoculated, Firlit was rescinded of her custody. Firlit didn't say if she would receive the vaccine but she stated that she appealed the decision as she felt the judge exceeded his authority. Firlit stated that taking her son from his mother was wrong.
Firlit stated to WFLD, "I believe that it's divisive." "And it's not in the best interests of my son to be away from me mother," Firlit said.
Jeffery M. Leving (the father's lawyer), did not respond to The Post's late Sunday comment request. He said that he didn't expect the judge to question him about vaccinations and change the custody arrangement. He said that he supported Judge's decision.
Leving stated that "there are children who have died due to covid." "I believe every child should have safety. I also agree with the recommendation that the mother be vaccinated.
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, the number of delta variant-infected children has increased exponentially over the past few months. The American Academy of Family Physicians also warns that unvaccinated children are at greater risk of suffering "severe, long-lasting effects" on their health.
Firlit stated that she is currently struggling with separation from her son. She can only communicate over the phone with Firlit.
She told the Sun-Times, "I talk with him every day." He cries and misses me.
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