Update on the Breast Feeding Driver

The breast feeding driver, Catherine Donkers, charged with not having a valid operator's license, child endangering, failing to comply with a police officer's request and obstructing official business is going to court this week. Steve Luttner wrote this report in the Cleveland Plain Dealer which indicates that Mrs. Donkers is going to fight the case before a judge.

"How can you prosecute someone for violating a law that doesn't exist?" Donkers said. "There is no law that has been violated."

Donkers supports her argument with a mix of legal interpretations and a deep skepticism of government. She questions whether the state has the right to make individuals meet seemingly basic requirements such as obtaining driver's licenses and marriage certificates.

The prosecutor offered to drop all charges except the child-restraint count, a misdemeanor carrying a $100 fine, but she refused the offer. She still maintains she is innocent of any violation of Ohio laws since she's a resident of Michigan. Her husband, Brad Lee Barnhill, said:

Donkers was a resident of Michigan when she was arrested.

Michigan, like Ohio, requires children under age 4 to be in a child-restraint system while traveling in an auto. But Michigan excludes children who are being nursed.

Thus Donkers was stopped improperly, making all of the charges irrelevant, Barnhill said.

"We can understand that they haven't been properly trained," he said of the state troopers.

He said he would be willing to serve as a consultant to better educate troopers about the law.

Mr. Barnhill has a screwy way of looking at things. He somehow thinks his case is enhanced by insulting the Ohio law enforcement system.

Chances are that no one is taking wagers on the outcome of the court proceedings. If there's ever been a case where the defendents should be sent a harsh message, this is it. Personally, I'd make the piggies squeal.