Yesterday, on August 27, 2012, at approximately 1:00PM, Child Protective Services accompanied an infant and its mother to the Emergency Department of Civista Medical Center. The baby was admitted under the signed consent of its mother. Child Protective Services stayed with the infant and the mother until approximately 5:45PM.
Subsequently, the mother decided to leave the hospital with the infant. The mother had parental rights and Civista Medical Center had no legal authority to detain the infant or the mother.
In light of the involvement of Child Protective Services, the hospital contacted Charles County Sheriff’s Office. The infant was promptly returned to Civista Medical Center. Following the return of the infant, Child Protective Services executed an Authorization of Emergency Shelter Care and Notice of Hearing, assuming custody of the infant.
