Coronavirus
Divorced ER Doctor Who Treats COVID Patients Temporarily Loses Custody of Her 4-Year-Old Child
An emergency room doctor temporarily lost custody of her 4-year-old daughter as she treats patients during the COVID-19 pandemic. A Florida judge ruled the child’s “safety and welfare” were compromised.
Dr. Theresa Greene appealed the emergency order that granted her ex-husband full custody.
“I think it’s not fair, it’s cruel to ask me to choose between my child and the oath I took as a physician,” Greene said, according to Fox News. “I won’t abandon my team at work or the patients who will increasingly look to me to save their lives in the coming weeks, but it’s torture.”
NBC Palm Springs reported that Greene and her ex-husband have been divorced for almost two years. The report also mentioned that the two have evenly split their time with their daughter.
An Unfair Ruling?
💔An ER doctor loses custody of daughter because of coronavirus fears. “I think it's not fair, it's cruel to ask me to choose between my child and the oath I took as a physician," said Dr Greene: https://t.co/uXEH18aCFl
➡️What do you think? Is this fair? pic.twitter.com/SipVNE51Z7
— John-Carlos Estrada (@Mr_JCE) April 14, 2020
Circuit Court Judge Bernard Shapiro ruled that the child's father, Eric Greene, should have custody.
“In order to protect the best interests of the minor child, including but not limited to the minor child’s safety and welfare, this Court temporarily suspends the Former Wife’s timesharing until further Order of Court,” Shapiro wrote in his ruling. “The suspension is solely related to the outbreak of COVID-19.”
“I was just shocked that the judge would take this stance without talking to medical experts and knowing the facts and take it so lightly, take my child from me and not think of the effect on her, her mental and psychological well-being,” Greene said.
“If I was married I’d be given the opportunity to go home to my child, no one could tell me I shouldn’t do that.”
According to NBC Palm Springs, Greene said she wears full PPE while treating patients. She also does everything she can to avoid contracting the disease.
“Yes it is severe and there is danger, and we’re being very careful,” she said. “We use every thing we can. I’ve actually worn equipment above and beyond to protect myself and my child.”
What's in Store?
Eric Greene’s attorney, Paul Leinoff, said in a statement: “Mr. Greene and I have the upmost respect for Dr. Greene’s commitment to her critical work during this pandemic.”
According to Theresa Greene, her daughter doesn’t understand what’s going on. However, she knows that her mom is sad, as reported by NBC Palm Springs.
“I want her when she grows up to be proud of me by abiding to the oath that I took when I went into medicine, but I also know that she needs me now,” she said.
Theresa Greene does not know when she will be able to see her daughter again. The end of the pandemic is uncertain as well.
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