The mother should be punished but 18 months seems hard to me,I know you are going to say, but 12 months was suspended right,but let her mess up and she will do the whole 18 months,now if he had of sentenced her to 18 months of treatment that would have showed he was thinking of her well being.

Locking people up is not the answer to substance abuse,all that does is cost the tax payers money,I know the judge adds in his final orders for you to attain a support group,that covers him. but if the judges would sentence people to 9 to 12 months of substance abuse programs and the only way to stay out of prison is to complete the program. then we would not only see drug use go down here in the u.s.a. we would have more productive people here.

According to the AP article Judge Clapp sentenced Anvarinia to 18 months in jail with all but six months suspended and said Anvarinia could get credit for chemical dependency treatment. That is offering a golden opportunity to face reality and clean up her act. Let us not forget there is an innocent defenseless child that only wants love and a kind nurturing environment.

The single most successful entry into treatment comes from the court system. Guilty was a good call but treatment should be getting the dollar support instead of jail. Our money is going to the wrong place. The woman is not "guilty"; she is sick. But if the only way she will hear it (& that is certainly the case with DUI's) is "guilty" then so be it.

1. Is the summary correct-- "breastfeeding while drunk" or was the charge "drunk while breastfeeding"? 2. Ginger has it right about where the money is going-- maintaining the woman in jail subtracts from what is available to the baby which is in the highly trustworthy clutches of the government somewhere being bottlefed, hooray. Also, will she lose the lease on her apartment and her stuff be thrown away? That is stressful for children (and same can be said for children in Iraq or Gaza whose apartment building was destroyed by "smart bombs").

That is where alot of judges forget addiction is a sickness,instead of locking everyone up they should look at treatment frist.I am not saying not to lock anyone up,because I know some people just wont change no matter what is afford to them,what I am saying frist time offerenders should get the offer of treatment frist,then if that doesnt work lock them up.treatment should always be the frist, then lock up second.

Many times judges will not order treatment unless there is an assessment in front of them stating that recommendation. This assists in keeping the judge from requiring something that might not be the most appropriate treatment.

Family Courts should try to reunite the family, with the best interest of the children in mind--so maxwood is right--but the charge is child neglect. And are there other kids? She should get a chance of affordable treatment (childcare if needed)which is still cheaper than 18 months jail and the foster care system for baby.

Just how much ethanol is excreted in breast milk? What is the known harm to the child? Is punishment the appropriate remedy?

Docs not cops! This woman should not have been given an 18 month sentence - even though all but six months have been suspended. Jail will not cure her drinking problem. She, like all other addicts, need treatment. She should have been remanded to a good rehab facility (emphasis on good)where she could get counselling and treatment. For a really good understanding of addiction, read the article by Dr. Alan Leshner, an addiction specialist. (Google "Addiction is a brain disease"). We will not win this battle until we truly understand the problem. Jail is no solution nor is it a long term deterrent. www.theaddictionmonster.com

I am glad someone finally asked-what is the known harm here? Was her breastmilk tested?? I commend this woman for trying to do the right thing in raising her baby.It sounds like she needs treatment. Can you really imagine sending this woman to jail? People drive drunk and kill others everyday and don't get that kind of sentence!!?

There is more to this story than simply attempts at breastfeeding when intoxicated (which has not been proven to be harmful, but is assumed to be harmful). If National networks are gong to follow stories like this they should get all the facts. Additional allegations from police included the woman holding her baby without supporting the head and actually holding the baby upside down. Perhaps reports should also follow up on the subsequent facts of this case and see that there were additional criminal charges brought against this person AFTER she was sentenced. Most often, the only thing that helps addicts make changes is when it hurts too bad to continue doing what they are doing. Time in jail is certainly a consequence that could assist addicts in making choices to change their lives.