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TOPIC: Mother sobs as she signs court agreement allowing her four-year-old son's circumcision after trying to stop surgery
Mother sobs as she is 'bullied' into signing court agreement allowing her four-year-old son's circumcision after spending week in jail for kidnapping him in bid to stop surgery
Heather Hironimus sobbed as she signed paperwork giving approval for the surgery for her four-year-old, then recoiled in horror at the Florida court
Attorneys for both Hironimus and the boy's father, Dennis Nebus, declined to comment
At multiple court hearings, judges sided with the father, but potential surgeons backed out after failing to get the mother's consent
Hironimus went missing with son in February but was arrested last week. She was told she would be jailed indefinitely unless she agreed to surgery
Published: 13:02 EST, 22 May 2015 | Updated: 15:54 EST, 22 May 2015
1.2kshares
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A Florida mother who battled for years against her child's father over the boy's circumcision ended Friday by agreeing to the procedure in exchange for her release from jail.
In a remarkable turnaround after a week behind bars for contempt and an initial hearing in which she was ordered to remain jailed, court reconvened and a sobbing Heather Hironimus signed paperwork giving approval for the surgery, recoiling in tears and clasping her shackled hands after it was done.
The shift, though under duress, threatened the hero status given to Hironimus by a bubbling movement of anti-circumcision advocates who have followed the case's every turn.
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Heather Hironimus, sitting with her attorney Thomas Hunker, broke down as she signed consent for her 4-year-old son to be circumcised, during a hearing on Friday in Delray Beach, Florida
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Hironimus was told she would remain in jail indefinitely if she did not comply with the court ruling over her son's circumcision
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Heather Hironimus, left, recoiled in horror after signing the agreement alongside her attorney Thomas Hunker
She remained jailed on Friday afternoon, but her release was likely later in the day.
Attorneys for both Hironimus and the boy's father, Dennis Nebus, declined to comment, citing an ongoing gag order in the case.
Georganne Chapin, executive director of Intact America, which advocates against circumcision, said Hironimus had been 'bullied' into signing, calling it the 'saddest commentary on the court'.
'I don't know what's in his head,' she said of Judge Jeffrey Gillen, who presided over the case. 'I don't know how he can sleep at night.'
Hironimus and Nebus had initially agreed to the circumcision in a parenting agreement filed in court, but the mother later changed her mind.
Circuit and appellate judges sided with the father, but potential surgeons backed out after failing to get the mother's consent and becoming the target of protesters.
Hironimus went missing with the boy in February, ignoring warnings from Gillen to be in court and allow the circumcision to proceed.
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The mother has been warring with the child's father, who wants the circumcision and appeared distraught when she lost her battle today
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The mother previously said she wanted to protect her child and was 'scared to death' by the procedure
She remained missing until her arrest last week, staying in a domestic violence shelter. With her legal options dwindling, she filed a federal civil rights lawsuit on behalf of her son, looking for a solution outside state court.
But her attorney abruptly withdrew that case on Wednesday, two days after its first hearing, when a judge expressed open skepticism of its merits.
Upon arriving in courton Friday, chained at the wrists and ankles and wearing a navy blue jail jumpsuit, Hironimus quietly invoked her Fifth Amendment rights when asked whether she had signed the consent agreement.
Gillen said Hironimus would be jailed indefinitely unless she did.
Her mother, Mary Hironimus, fought back tears but said her daughter was right to fight for her son.
'Of course it's worth it,' she said, 'any mother would do anything for her child.'
Mother of Heather Hironimus says trial is 'all in God's hands'
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The child's father Dennis Nebus (pictured right) sits in court with his lawyers May Cain and William Snihur Jr., in March
Battle in court over four-year-old boy's circumcision
Hironimus still faces a criminal charge of interfering with child custody. Gillen approved a motion by Nebus' attorney, May Cain, to temporarily give the father sole decision-making over matters including his son's health and to travel out of state, if needed, to have the circumcision performed. Cain said her client had been receiving death threats and warnings his son would be kidnapped.
'I am fearful that the child might be abducted,' Gillen said.
After Hironimus agreed to sign the form and court reconvened, Gillen offered advice to the parents: 'You are both going to continue to be the parents to this young man. You're going to have to learn how to deal with that in an amicable, friendly, civil manner.
'You're going to have to always take into consideration what's in your child's best interest. To the extent that you may differ on things, you're going to have to talk them out. That's what parents do in a civilized society. You do not take the law into your own hands
How is that legal consent when you are forced to consent? What Doctor would want to circumcise a healthy 4 yr old boy under these conditions?
I thought the same thing. She was coerced into signing.
Bull****. She consented a long time ago in a binding court document. You just don't get to change your mind on a whim when the courts are involved. Don't want the courts involved? Plan your life better.
__________________
I'm not arguing, I'm just explaining why I'm right.
Well, I could agree with you--but then we'd both be wrong.
Pts are allowed to chane their mind husker. If u sign a surgical consent and the decide 30 sec before they take u back that u changed your mind , that is your prerogative. Mom changed her mind. They might have a hard time finding a doctor who will even do it now.
How is that legal consent when you are forced to consent? What Doctor would want to circumcise a healthy 4 yr old boy under these conditions?
I thought the same thing. She was coerced into signing.
Bull****. She consented a long time ago in a binding court document. You just don't get to change your mind on a whim when the courts are involved. Don't want the courts involved? Plan your life better.
Why didnt HE plan HIS life better? He should have married someone who is strongly pro circ.
Pts are allowed to chane their mind husker. If u sign a surgical consent and the decide 30 sec before they take u back that u changed your mind , that is your prerogative. Mom changed her mind. They might have a hard time finding a doctor who will even do it now.
No. Not when it is in a Court agreement that they signed - they are not. Not without repercussions. Especially when it comes to child custody agreements.
__________________
LawyerLady
I can explain it to you, but I can't understand it for you.
How is that legal consent when you are forced to consent? What Doctor would want to circumcise a healthy 4 yr old boy under these conditions?
I thought the same thing. She was coerced into signing.
Bull****. She consented a long time ago in a binding court document. You just don't get to change your mind on a whim when the courts are involved. Don't want the courts involved? Plan your life better.
Why didnt HE plan HIS life better? He should have married someone who is strongly pro circ.
She AGREED to the circumcision. And then SHE changed her mind. That kind of stuff is probably what led to their divorce.
__________________
LawyerLady
I can explain it to you, but I can't understand it for you.
Pts are allowed to chane their mind husker. If u sign a surgical consent and the decide 30 sec before they take u back that u changed your mind , that is your prerogative. Mom changed her mind. They might have a hard time finding a doctor who will even do it now.
No, they are not if it has went to the courts. They CANNOT unilaterally change their mind at that point without the consent of the court. You are wrong.
__________________
I'm not arguing, I'm just explaining why I'm right.
Well, I could agree with you--but then we'd both be wrong.
Sorry but it should be 2 yesses. One No should end it.
They are no longer married. People tend to divorce when they can't agree on basic stuff. But once it is in the parenting agreement with the Court - it needs to be honored, otherwise you are denying the other parent their rights.
__________________
LawyerLady
I can explain it to you, but I can't understand it for you.
It should have been done when the child was born. She agreed. End of the story.
__________________
A flock of flirting flamingos is pure, passionate, pink pandemonium-a frenetic flamingle-mangle-a discordant discotheque of delirious dancing, flamboyant feathers, and flamingo lingo.
How is that legal consent when you are forced to consent? What Doctor would want to circumcise a healthy 4 yr old boy under these conditions?
I thought the same thing. She was coerced into signing.
Bull****. She consented a long time ago in a binding court document. You just don't get to change your mind on a whim when the courts are involved. Don't want the courts involved? Plan your life better.
LGS and I were commenting on the article's statement about signing legally in the court, not the original. Please read the details.
__________________
Sometimes you're the windshield, and sometimes you're the bug.
I agree with husker and LL. The mom has put the boy through the ringer over this. Kidnapping him, taking him from his father, his home, and the rest of his family. How awful for him. Then his mom gets thrown in jail for it. Geez. It doesn't sound like she has his best interest in mind.
How is that legal consent when you are forced to consent? What Doctor would want to circumcise a healthy 4 yr old boy under these conditions?
I thought the same thing. She was coerced into signing.
Bull****. She consented a long time ago in a binding court document. You just don't get to change your mind on a whim when the courts are involved. Don't want the courts involved? Plan your life better.
LGS and I were commenting on the article's statement about signing legally in the court, not the original. Please read the details.
What she signed in court was the medical consent form needed at the doctor's office. She had already willingly signed the parenting agreement years ago that said she WOULD consent.
Think of it this way - your ex agrees to sign a quit-claim deed to your house in the divorce agreement, but when it comes time to sign the deed itself, he refuses.
__________________
LawyerLady
I can explain it to you, but I can't understand it for you.
How is that legal consent when you are forced to consent? What Doctor would want to circumcise a healthy 4 yr old boy under these conditions?
I thought the same thing. She was coerced into signing.
Bull****. She consented a long time ago in a binding court document. You just don't get to change your mind on a whim when the courts are involved. Don't want the courts involved? Plan your life better.
LGS and I were commenting on the article's statement about signing legally in the court, not the original. Please read the details.
What she signed in court was the medical consent form needed at the doctor's office. She had already willingly signed the parenting agreement years ago that said she WOULD consent.
Think of it this way - your ex agrees to sign a quit-claim deed to your house in the divorce agreement, but when it comes time to sign the deed itself, he refuses.
Such as the passport app he hasn't signed yet? The courts can sign for him too, circumventing the parent who refuses. They won't probably due to liability. I don't agree with the mother, BTW, my comment was only about coercion.
__________________
Sometimes you're the windshield, and sometimes you're the bug.
How is that legal consent when you are forced to consent? What Doctor would want to circumcise a healthy 4 yr old boy under these conditions?
I thought the same thing. She was coerced into signing.
Bull****. She consented a long time ago in a binding court document. You just don't get to change your mind on a whim when the courts are involved. Don't want the courts involved? Plan your life better.
LGS and I were commenting on the article's statement about signing legally in the court, not the original. Please read the details.
It doesn't matter. When the court makes an order, you don't get to just unilaterally change it because you no longer like the terms.
__________________
I'm not arguing, I'm just explaining why I'm right.
Well, I could agree with you--but then we'd both be wrong.
Sorry but it should be 2 yesses. One No should end it.
They had two yesses. She AGREED to it--then changed her mind.
She can't do that because it was in a binding court document. She needs the court's permission to change the terms of that agreement--and that was denied.
__________________
I'm not arguing, I'm just explaining why I'm right.
Well, I could agree with you--but then we'd both be wrong.
How is that legal consent when you are forced to consent? What Doctor would want to circumcise a healthy 4 yr old boy under these conditions?
I thought the same thing. She was coerced into signing.
Bull****. She consented a long time ago in a binding court document. You just don't get to change your mind on a whim when the courts are involved. Don't want the courts involved? Plan your life better.
LGS and I were commenting on the article's statement about signing legally in the court, not the original. Please read the details.
What she signed in court was the medical consent form needed at the doctor's office. She had already willingly signed the parenting agreement years ago that said she WOULD consent.
Think of it this way - your ex agrees to sign a quit-claim deed to your house in the divorce agreement, but when it comes time to sign the deed itself, he refuses.
Such as the passport app he hasn't signed yet? The courts can sign for him too, circumventing the parent who refuses. They won't probably due to liability. I don't agree with the mother, BTW, my comment was only about coercion.
He had the legal right to have it done--but the doctors refused without her signature on the consent forms, also. Thus the issue.
__________________
I'm not arguing, I'm just explaining why I'm right.
Well, I could agree with you--but then we'd both be wrong.
I don't know. Her face looks kind of pockmarked like an addict.
Or scars from severe acne.
However I don't see anything.
__________________
A flock of flirting flamingos is pure, passionate, pink pandemonium-a frenetic flamingle-mangle-a discordant discotheque of delirious dancing, flamboyant feathers, and flamingo lingo.
That is too often the case when parents aren't married. Nothing new there.
__________________
I'm not arguing, I'm just explaining why I'm right.
Well, I could agree with you--but then we'd both be wrong.
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