Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility

COURT GESTURES: It’ll be hard to level manslaughter charges against Wisconsin co-sleepers

By: Eric Heisig//October 4, 2013//

COURT GESTURES: It’ll be hard to level manslaughter charges against Wisconsin co-sleepers

By: Eric Heisig//October 4, 2013//

Listen to this article

I know parents sharing a bed with their kids is a hotly contested issue. When I lived in Pensacola, Fla., the area’s medical examiner put her face on multiple billboards that essentially said “Don’t do it. It’s dangerous and I should know, I do the autopsies.”

At the same time, I have a friend who will defend to the death her right to do it. She maintains there is a safe way to co-sleep.

I’m not taking sides on this one, but I have to point out a recent comment made by Milwaukee County Supervisor Mark Borkowski.

In a Sept. 24 news release, Borkowski said ”legislators should consider such measures as felony manslaughter charges against parents who cause the death of a child through co-sleeping …”

There’s only one problem though: there is no manslaughter charge in the great state of Wisconsin.

Yes, there are other charges that may fit the bill. Some of the charges listed as subsections to homicide may fit the bill, especially if prosecutors can prove that a parent was committing another crime when an infant died.

But as of right now, no manslaughter.

But who knows? Maybe that will be introduced soon. State Rep. Samantha Kerkman, R-Powers Lake, already has said she was going to propose a bill that would make co-sleeping deaths a felony.

Maybe Borkowski was telling the future. Only time will tell.

Polls

Should Steven Avery be granted a new evidentiary hearing?

View Results

Loading ... Loading ...

Legal News

See All Legal News

WLJ People

Sea all WLJ People

Opinion Digests