Breastfeeding mother ordered to leave North Carolina court room

HENDERSON COUNTY, N.C. — A North Carolina mother said a judge kicked her out of his courtroom because she was breastfeeding.

Stephanie Rhodus said just over five minutes into her court proceeding in Henderson County, judge Peter Knight commented on her breastfeeding.

The judge said he didn't have a problem with the baby being there, but said nursing the child in the courtroom was inappropriate.

"Ma’am you need to cover up. For you not to realize that is absolutely ridiculous. Step outside, and cover up right now. Stand up and go," Knight said.

Channel 9’s news partners, News 13, obtained an official audio record from the court.

"After I stopped feeding him, he became distressed and fussy and agitated. It made the rest of the proceedings pretty difficult," Rhodus said.

Rhodus came to family court as a defendant against her mother who has custody of her 8-year-old son, her oldest child.

The judge issued a six-month protective order, meaning she cannot see her oldest child.

Rhodus believes her breastfeeding affected the judge's decision and is appealing.

Click here to read the original article on ABC13/WLOS.

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