A DeSoto couple is fighting for custody of their newborn child.
The couple is demanding that Child Protective Services (CPS) return their newborn after the agency allegedly took the child due to issues related to jaundice.
The child, Mila Jackson, was born to Rodney and Temecia Jackson at their home on March 21, according to WFAA. Mila reportedly had a healthy home birth, and the child was later taken to a pediatrician, where she received a clean bill of health.
However, later that day, the mother began receiving messages from Dr. Anand Bhatt, a pediatrician at Baylor Scott & White, who said that the newborn had jaundice with dangerously high levels of bilirubin. Bhatt said that the level of this chemical compound in her body could result in brain damage and suggested that she be brought back to the facility for phototherapy.
The couple told Bhatt that they would prefer to treat the newborn at their own house despite the doctor’s concern that they did not have the right lights. The Jacksons assured Bhatt that they would supplement the child’s diet with breast milk as recommended and provided contact information for the midwife who had helped with the child’s delivery.
Temecia said that she received several “aggressive” messages from the doctor, allegedly threatening to call CPS if they did not bring the child in.
One week later, on March 28, DeSoto police officers and CPS came with a court order and took the newborn from the family’s home.
Bhatt had sent a letter to CPS, alleging that he had attempted to contact the family 10 times through multiple means but with no response.
“Parents are very loving and they care dearly about their baby,” said Bhatt in the letter, according to WFAA. “Their distrust for medical care and guidance has led them to make a decision for the baby to refuse a simple treatment that can prevent brain damage,” he continued.
CPS then issued a statement concurring with the doctor that there was a need for “intervention.”
The family’s legal team, however, reportedly found that the affidavit used to take possession of the child was for a completely different person who also had a criminal record for child neglect. Temecia Jackson’s name was reportedly not on this affidavit and she herself does not have a criminal record.
Temecia said that she felt as if their child had been “stolen” from their home under the pretense that the child belonged to another person.
Rodney said that he and his wife were treated as though they were criminals.
“This is a nightmare I wouldn’t wish on anyone,” said Jackson, according to WFAA.
The child is currently in the care of a foster family. The Jacksons visited their child on April 5 and have a court date set for April 20.
The Dallas Express reached out to the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services, DeSoto Police Department, and Baylor Scott & White for additional information but receive no responses by the time of publication.