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Army Sends Infant to Protective Services, Mom to Afghanistan
VENTURA, California - U.S. Army Specialist Alexis Hutchinson, a single mother, is being threatened with a military court-martial if she does not agree to deploy to Afghanistan, despite having been told she would be granted extra time to find someone to care for her 11-month-old son while she is overseas.
Hutchinson, of Oakland, California, is currently being confined at Hunter Army Airfield near Savannah, Georgia, after being arrested. Her son was placed into a county foster care system.
Hutchinson has been threatened with a court martial if she does not agree to deploy to Afghanistan on Sunday, Nov. 15. She has been attempting to find someone to take care of her child, Kamani, while she is deployed overseas, but to no avail.
According to the family care plan of the U.S. Army, Hutchinson was allowed to fly to California and leave her son with her mother, Angelique Hughes of Oakland.
However, after a week of caring for the child, Hughes realised she was unable to care for Kamani along with her other duties of caring for a daughter with special needs, her ailing mother, and an ailing sister.
In late October, Angelique Hughes told Hutchinson and her commander that she would be unable to care for Kamani after all. The Army then gave Hutchinson an extension of time to allow her to find someone else to care for Kamani. Meanwhile, Hughes brought Kamani back to Georgia to be with his mother.
However, only a few days before Hutchinson's original deployment date, she was told by the Army she would not get the time extension after all, and would have to deploy, despite not having found anyone to care for her child.
Faced with this choice, Hutchinson chose not to show up for her plane to Afghanistan. The military arrested her and placed her child in the county foster care system.
Currently, Hutchinson is scheduled to fly to Afghanistan on Sunday for a special court martial, where she then faces up to one year in jail.
Hutchinson's civilian lawyer, Rai Sue Sussman, told IPS, "The core issue is that they are asking her to make an inhumane choice. She did not have a complete family care plan, meaning she did not find someone to provide long-term care for her child. She's required to have a complete family care plan, and was told she'd have an extension, but then they changed it on her."
Asked why she believes the military revoked Hutchinson's extension, Sussman responded, "I think they didn't believe her that she was unable to find someone to care for her infant. They think she's just trying to get out of her deployment. But she's just trying to find someone she can trust to take care of her baby."
Hutchinson's mother has flown to Georgia to retrieve the baby, but is overwhelmed and does not feel able to provide long-term care for the child.
According to Sussman, the soldier needs more time to find someone to care for her infant, but does not as yet have friends or family able to do so.
Sussman says Hutchinson told her, "It is outrageous that they would deploy a single mother without a complete and current family care plan. I would like to find someone I trust who can take care of my son, but I cannot force my family to do this. They are dealing with their own health issues."
Sussman told IPS that the Army's JAG attorney, Captain Ed Whitford, "told me they thought her chain of command thought she was trying to get out of her deployment by using her child as an excuse." '
Major Gallagher, of Hutchinson's unit, also told Sussman that he did not believe it was a real family crisis, and that Hutchinson's "mother should have been able to take care of the baby".
In addition, according to Sussman, a First Sergeant Gephart "told me he thought she [Hutchinson] was pulling her family care plan stuff to get out of her deployment".
"To me it sounds completely bogus," Sussman told IPS, "I think what they are actually going to do is have her spend her year deployment in Afghanistan, then court martial her back here upon her return. This would do irreparable harm to her child. I think they are doing this to punish her, because they think she is lying."
Sussman explained that she believes the best possible outcome is for the Army to either give Hutchinson the extension they had said she would receive so that she can find someone to care for her infant, or barring this, to simply discharge her so she can take care of her child.
Nevertheless, Hutchinson is simply asking for the time extension to complete her family care plan, and not to be discharged.
"I'm outraged by this," Sussman told IPS, "I've never gone to the media with a military client, but this situation is just completely over the top."
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97 Comments so far
Show AllWhat's a mother to do? Put the baby up for adoption or sell it?
Sorry ladies, but this is exactly why I believe WOMEN SHOULD NOT BE SOLDIERS!!!!! And I'm a feminist!!!! This is unconscionable!!!!! The VERY FIRST AND MOST IMPORANT DUTY A HUMAN BEING HAS is to raise up their children in the way they should go!!!!!!!!!!! What is wrong with us?! What is wrong with the stupid military?!!!!
I agree Inanna (with that name who could argue with you)I always hate when they send mothers over to shoot other peoples kids, but i also have to wonder how mom get involved with the military. I too am an ardent feminist, and i want women to be able to work at any job they want and get loads of maternity leave. But i don't think ANYONE of any sex should sign up for military duty. but since the situation is what it is, the army should just give her maternity discharge and never bother her again
I guess I don't qualify as a feminist because I never believed that a woman can do EVERYTHING a man can; most everything, but not EVERYTHING. To separate this 11 month old from it's mother would be a crime. I think it was Chris Rock who said just because you can do something doesn't mean it's a good idea; you CAN drive a car with your feet, but it isn't a good idea. Women can do almost everything a man can do in the Armed Services, but the pregnancy/infant issue says IT IS NOT A GOOD IDEA.
They'll probably deploy the kid to Iraq.
Sign on for the love train!!
Kamani is 11 mos! surely we can train him on x box to run drone coverage for his mom?
you are naughty.
Where is the Commander in Chief? This is more than outrageous.
Where IS the commander-in chief, indeed!
The solution is obvious: neuter all recruits.
They're not signing on to create life but to destroy it.
Mrs. Hughes gave it a try and was overwhelmed. The Army seems to want the baby to grow up to be a criminal by putting it into state custody with no loving home. The Commander in Chief or Gates should intervene and give Hutchinson more time to find someone she can trust. The baby is under a year old, for God's sake. Why not put off her deployment into a war that is pointless until the baby is at least 3 years old? Give the child a chance.
Don't sign on the recuiting line,
If you cant do the time.
Dont they make baby carriers in khalki?
don't sign up for the crime . . .
The soldier's civilian lawyer has said that "The core issue is that they are asking her to make an inhumane choice." The lawyer should have went further by pointing out that that choice is for the mother to either take care of her child in the United States or take part in an occupation which is dropping 500 lb. and 2000 lb. bombs on Afghan children and preventing her from taking care of her child. The issue does not only involve an inhumane choice. It also centers around the issue of humanity, that is whether mothers should be involved in an occupation that is ripping apart Afghan mothers from their children.
If the attorney, Rai Sue Sussman, actually thought this through, she would realize that this is how she should frame this issue. Her defense of her client should be centered around the fact that the army should not be deploying that mother unnecessarily halfway around the world in order to be part of a force that is dropping bombs on innocent mothers and children. Again, construct her case around the war. Lt. Watada did [or at least he would have if he would have taken the stand during his trial but the judge unexpectedly declared a mistrial even over the objections of the defense apparently because the judge was in mortal fear that Watada would raise the issue of the legality of the Iraq war] and the army's high court eventually ruled that the army had essentially had no case if it decided that it wanted to retry Watada. The army never refiled charges against Watada and he is now a free man.
Ms. Sussman-challenge the army and challenge the government's raison d'etre for occupying Afghanistan. It would be quite surprising if either the army or the administration can give a coherent reason why the United States is occupying Afghanistan.
Since when does the military deploy a single parent, male or female to a war zone? This is more than outrageous!!! What happens to this child if its mother is K.I.A.? One could possibly rationalize being angry with the mother because of the fact that she signed up for the military knowing that she could be deployed. But the child and the soldier's mother are the losers here and they have no say so either way. This stinks no matter how one chooses to look at it. The mother could simply remain on active duty here stateside, be a mother, and no harm done anywhere. Oh, but this is the military and nooooo way for logic to prevail here.
Action Alert: Contact Congresswoman Barbara Lee to urge her to "Request that the Army not deploy Alexis Hutchinson to Afghanistan so that she can care for her son."
From the 9th District (Oakland/Berkeley, CA) phone: 510-763-0370 (fax: 510-763-6538).
Or nationwide at: 202- 225-2661 (fax: 202-225-9817).
Donate to Alexis' legal and family support fund at:
http://couragetoresist.org/alexis
For updates about this situation:
http://couragetoresist.org/x/content/view/789/1/
And you wonder why we are indiscriminately killing people in other countries?
"We've got a piece of cannon fodder here we can deploy. She's got an infant? Throw it in the slammer and get her over to Afghanistan. If the kid grows up to be an antisocial criminal, we'll draft him and send him into our next war."
As I've written many times, this government has no empathy, no compassion. All we are to it are taxpayers and cannon fodder. It begrudges every penny of our taxes that must go to help the people.
I read an article recently that enlistments are up way beyond quota. The reason is that there are no jobs. (Could this be the plan?) The people, especially the young are losing hope. The army offers a job. Kill and conquer foreigners for the glory of the Homeland. If you live through it, you might be rewarded with a bonus...maybe. If you get hit, you are pretty much on your own if there is not enough left of you to throw back in the lines.
“... it is the totality of empire to breed repeated war. For the conquered must be periodically reconquered, and the conquerors must keep the arts and habits of camp and battlefield; and at any moment the kaleidoscope of change may throw up a new empire to challenge the old. In such a situation wars must be invented if they do not arise of their own accord; each generation must be inured to the rigors of campaigns, and taught by practice this sweet decorum of dying for one’s country.”
Will Durant
The Story of Civilization,
Volume 1, page 355
Specialist Alexis Hutchinson is a Soldier stationed at Hunter Army Airfield. She is not under any confinement but has been ordered to remain on the installation while the command addresses her alleged misconduct. Just days prior to her scheduled deployment, Specialist Hutchinson's commander received information that indicated that Specialist Hutchinson had engaged in misconduct. Due to the fact that Specialist Hutchinson has a small child, her deployment was delayed so that the command could ensure Specialist Hutchinson's child was cared-for and so that she could meet with legal counsel. In the meantime, Specialist Hutchinson's command had been assured that her mother is caring for her young son.
Currently, thousands of Soldiers at Fort Stewart and Hunter Army Airfield are deploying overseas. However, because of her circumstances, Specialist Hutchinson's commander is reexamining whether or not she will be able to deploy. Because her case could present a hardship to not only her child but also her extended family, Specialist Hutchinson's command has delayed her departure and will continue to work with her legal counsel.
Kevin Larson
Chief, Public Communications
Fort Stewart/3rd Infantry Division Public Affairs Office
Mr. Larson states that "Specialist Hutchinson's commander is reexamining whether or not she will be able to deploy." He also talks about the hardship that her deployment could cause her child. Unfortunately Mr. Larsen does not state whether the soldier's commander has ever taken to reexamine the hardship that the occupation has taken on Afghan mothers when their children are ripped to shreds by America's ubiquitous bombs. Perhaps Mr. Larsen and the commander at Fort Stewart should recall and take to heart the words of former Green Beret Donald Duncan who observed of the 18 months that he had spent in Vietnam in the 1960s:
"I was doing it right but I wasn't doing right."
But for the military to engage in any significant introspection would mean that it would have to admit, as Donald Duncan did regarding his activity in Vietnam, that what it is doing in the Middle East is unconscionable, wrong and unforgiving. And that prospect, as Mr. Larsen would probably attest, is most unlikely to happen.
Why don't you bastards just deploy the entire US population to Afghanistan . We can create a democracy there and the world will be saved!
You know, that is brilliant. We could all be sent to Iraq and Afghanistan, and show them first hand how democracy works. And, since all the Progressive Democrats are judged to be "socialists" by the right wing, I believe that the TRUE keepers of democracy should be the first to deploy. Send the teabaggers, "true patriots", and other assorted conservative types, and how about sending some of the AIPAC folks and their "Christian" mouthpieces too, and they can put an end to that horrible religion over there! How better to show their "RIGHT STUFF" than to first hand set up an infant democracy, or the Theocracy they secretly want. I'm for it!!
Thank goodness this story is getting some publicity, thus forcing the professional liars (communications people) who work for the military to do some fast PR work. Any "misconduct" is on the army's side for forcing a mother to leave her baby.
What kind of people send a mother away from her infant? And what was the point of putting the baby in foster care, when his mother is the one he needs? Foster care, besides being a very poor substitute for a mother's care, is just another cost taxpayers have to pay while the "Defense" Dept sucks up our tax dollars and wastes them creating more enemies for the U.S. It is no wonder we have no jobs in this country. Military spending creates less jobs than anything else, and destroys lives in the bargain, as we can see not only from the homeless vets begging on the streets, but from stories like this, as well.
Imagine how traumatized this baby must be, first sent to his grandmother, who is already caring for a daughter with disabilities as well as two other people, then home to mom, and then to foster care. Of course, maybe the army is just trying to make sure this baby grows up damaged enough to end up in prison, an industry which works hand-in-glove with the "defense" industry's private contractors.
And, no, I don't thank any of you for your "service."
There is no way that an 11 month old can be properly cared for by anyone but its mother. The first four years of life are critical to child development and the mother is the prime source for ensuring normal development. This is well documented by specialists in the psychology of child development. Single fathers do not perform as well as single mothers.
If the army decides to deploy Ms. Hutchinson then the welfare of her son will be best met by deploying with her.
Take a baby, soon to be toddler, to Afghanistan, BRILLIANT!
You are correct, other than the mother a very close and capable grandparent or aunt/and or fatherly uncle, proves only secondary at best. The key consistent presence of the mother is so vital and leaving for prolonged periods of time is dysfunctional.
Bring PEACE to Afghanistan first by leaving Afghanistan to the local populace and bringing our troops home... how's that for a solution, light and love to little Kamani today.
The child needs someone to love him and take good care of him. A mother's love is usually a given (accept in rare cases), but any loving, willing person can raise a child.
The real issue is that this mom, who loves her little boy and wants to fulfill the job of parenting, should be able to do it. Sending her to Afghanistan and her child to protective custody is evil.
Delivery should happen under fire. As soon as men carry a child to full-term; until then, sadly, all men must surrender to the nearest woman or child.
Notice that all of the decision makers - officers and judges - are male.
I the government,the hell with the people.all we are, are slaves and tax revenue. how could one take a mother from her 11 month old child, then put that child in foster care, for any reason, we all know what the odds are for foster home children,to do well.this does not sound like the greatest country in the world to me.it sounds more like a tyrannical government.do you think she will still love and want to fight for this country after this, you can't push people around and think all is well. we all have our own thoughts of what this country should be,but i think we all agree that the people should come first,not the government.
I the government,the hell with the people.all we are, are slaves and tax revenue. how could one take a mother from her 11 month old child, then put that child in foster care, for any reason, we all know what the odds are for foster home children,to do well.this does not sound like the greatest country in the world to me.it sounds more like a tyrannical government.do you think she will still love and want to fight for this country after this, you can't push people around and think all is well. we all have our own thoughts of what this country should be,but i think we all agree that the people should come first,not the government.
You know in all of these postings, I have not heard any of you offer to step up and take care of this child for its mother, if she truly wants to be deployed and complete her commitment honorably. I do not live in Georgia, but you can rest assure that I will contacting Ms. Sussman and offering my home for this child while her mother is deployed. This is how you help our military families - you put yourself on the line. Does anyone who posts here live in Georgia to help this woman? If her mother has the child, I will drive down to Oakland if necessary if that will help. Can anyone else make the same offer or would you all rather trash the Army and accomplish nothing? Your choice, I guess.
The point is to keep mother and baby together, not to send the baby off to well-intentioned strangers. I don't see that undermining this baby's development by separating him from his mother is a way to "help military families."
It's fine to step up and keep a dog or a cat for someone. A child deserves the security and confidence that comes from being with his mother, and helping him to develop trust and love is more important to our national security than anything his mother could ever accomplish in our pointless destruction of Afganistan.
I'm picking "trash the Army and accomplish nothing".
Thanks for including that option!
· Yr Obd't Servant
OS, that was quite levity. It lifted me up. Just broke bread w/ a true peace advocate, informed, who thinks Obama has not had enough time? I was considering suicide until the laugh, guess i'll get high instead.
thanx I say. curses hissed the cat.
I do not live in Georgia, but you can rest assure that I will contacting Ms. Sussman and offering my home for this child while her mother is deployed.
----------------
Well, good then. If you've already done the deed, then, why are you preaching? I guess you haven't noticed that you ain't gonna git much sympathy round these parts with your love of the military and your [pseudo]patriotism and such. All of us here pee on that stuff! Those military families are putting themselves on the line because they want to. While they're at it, they are also killing the children of other families, and the mothers and fathers of other children that have absolutely nothing to do with the corporations that command those military families back in their Kingdom of Greed. So, how about you really do something commendable and offer to help one of the orphans in Gaza or Iraq or Afghanistan. Until you do, then shut up and go salute the flag!
DJNoll
Considering the fact that the U.S. Army is occupying not one but two countries for absolutely no justifiable reason whatsoever, you can rest assured that I will continue to trash the Army whenever the opportunity presents itself. You are correct, this is my choice and I will continue to exercise that right even and especially during the reign of the militant, imperialist and murderous Barack Obama.
You missed something. They're occupying three countries: add the U.S.
Ian
Ian, Hi, Egypt, Saudi Arabia? We have 100% control of both. The Sheikdoms? South Korea, Puerto Rico, The U.S.V.I.? The US has a grip on the Phillipines, CIA repressing the people like when Aquino's feet hit the tarmac.
I'd define occupation as control; then ask, to what degree do we control Afghanistan! 50% appx.....we're doing much better in Egypt. THAT is occupation.
Basing rights? 150 countries. CONTROL of Presidency/King Police, Army? I'd guess 25. No? I ate w/ a man living in Mexico a few yrs ago; he confirmed that the Fox-Vicente Mexican presidential election was stolen during bush w/ 100% cia assistance. (This man left the country because george was elected btw, returned 6 months ago.)
So there is # 1. Did not have to go far, the border, to find it.
chow
I live in Mexico and can assure you that the probability of Fox having stolen the election trough wich he came into power aided by the cia is virtually zero, that was probably the only fair election in all of Mexico´s history, it marked the first defeat of the PRI party (state party) since its inception.
Other than that I can agree with you that the usa does control our servile, ignorant, politicians/thiefs.
Is this another feature from The Onion?
While I really enjoyed their expose of "Lou Dobbs," the immigrant-bashing TV talking head who turned out to be an undocumented immigrant himself--with 17 kids!--this story is even more ridiculous!!
This can't be real, can it?
Talk about the Theater of the Absurd.
The Child should be seized from the parent and raised from the age of 5 to become a fighting man or woman in the tradition of the Spartans.
Perhaps a cadre of children of Military familes can be raised by the State?
You can call them "The Youth Core of the Glorius Republic"!
Are there criteria for not being censored by CD?
Let's just say that in my experience, that's for CD to know and you to find out... not.
· Yr Obd't Servant
As I suspected. Happened a couple of times with this topic last night.
If we play nice, no hitting, no personal attacks, we're cool. No perception or opinion is not welcome by the gods, but be-ware The Family; we a o-pinionated lot and not shy.
Inciting riots, calling for mayhem, encouraging violence, insurrection......might get a post deleted.....or taking heavy shots at the writer; I'm guessing CD likes the one's they select.....
Is the reason that the mainstream media has not covered this story because there is not enough violence in it?
Somebody in the Pentagon doesn't have their thinking cap on. Wait till they realize that they can start harvesting babies for the military like in that Kurt Russell movie "Soldier." They can take them right out of their mothers' wombs and start giving them military training and indoctrination before they cut the umbilical cord. They'll have the perfect army of robbotic humanoids to fight their wars for oil...and, well, according to that other article, pretty soon, the tar sands. So, when the US invades Canada for the new oil fields, they can send these baby soldiers in for the kill. No more recruiting, no more schmoozing, no more lies, just take 'em out, brainwash 'em and send 'em to war!
I think the child should be able to stay in the White House until the mother comes back from her tour of duty in Afghanistan.
This is how our government "supports the troops." Last I heard, any female soldiers who needed abortion services or contraception also had to handle that themselves - the government didn't pay for any of it. One rep stated that women were welcome to use the medical services in-country, or when leave time came up they could pay for a commercial ticket home (assuming the military hadn't bombed out the airport or suspended tourism) and pay out-of-pocket for those services there. There used to be at least MATS flights available.
Remember that this is the Empire that came up with the oxymoron "humanitarian bombing." These are the generals and other officers who were more concerned about their careers than about the mend and women serving, or about the legality of the use of the military for corporate conquest or anything else. They're leftovers after the men and women of conscience quit in protest. And not a one of them is about to give a rat's ass about some squalling infant out of poor family, much less go to any extra trouble for it.
And they care even less about civilians; remember that if martial law is ever declared.
Ian
I recall from the days of the Vietnam War -- destroying the village to save the village. The first time I heard that statement, I was horrified! And, I was old enough to know what it meant -- murdering women, children, and yes, men, too. If anyone remained alive, the survivors, usually farmers, had no fields, and no home.
More and more euphemisms, and less and less humanity!
"And they care even less about civilians; remember that if martial law is ever declared." Ian McLeod
I heed your warning!
Regarding Kevin Larson's comments listed further below (Chief, Public Communications, Fort Stewart/3rd Infantry Division Public Affairs Office) I for one am very glad to see that the Army's PR people are responding already, that her command has delayed her departure and is willing to "work with" Spc. Hutchinson's legal counsel.
I live in Australia and heard about this situation here! Then saw it on Common Dreams. As soon as I could I sent the following straight to the White House's website - comments section:
-------
(I can't find a working feedback site on the Defense section of your website, so I am going to trust whoever sees this special message first to pass this on to the office of your Chief of Staff or a very high level Army officer. When you read the two articles at the links below, highlighting an urgent situation you will understand why.)
Headline: " US Army Sends Infant to Protective Services, Mom to Afghanistan!"
http://www.couragetoresist.org/x/content/view/789/1/
http://www.commondreams.org/headline/2009/11/13-7
I find it simply incredible that the US Military would treat one of your single mom soldiers this way. I sincerely hope you do something about this yet this weekend before she is deployed to Afghanistan. I am a professional chaplain currently living in Canberra, Australia and am heard about this travesty clear over here! Australia's military has policy that would forbid such a procedure, and would NEVER do this! Nor should any civilized country.
Thank you in advance for paying attention,
Chaplain Clair Hochstetler
---
We should follow the updates on this situation at www.couragetoresist.org and hope for a good outcome to the situation. However, President Obama and his advisors need to pay serious attention to the real heart of the matter, well-underscored here (under the subtitle of "Hope") http://www.couragetoresist.org/x/content/view/787/1/
Clair