Pregnant woman sues state for jailing her for drug use

By: Associated Press//January 5, 2015//

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MEDFORD, Wis. (AP) — A pregnant Wisconsin woman is challenging the state’s “cocaine mom” law that put her in jail for 18 days.

Tamara Loertscher, 30, went to an Eau Claire clinic last summer, where a urine test revealed past drug use and that she was pregnant. Loertcher said she stopped using methamphetamines when she thought she was pregnant.

Medical personnel shared the test with Taylor County officials. A judge jailed Loertscher for refusing to move to a residential treatment center.

The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel reports her child is due in January.

It’s the second time a pregnant woman has challenged the 1998 law designed to protect developing fetuses. Critics argue the law violates medical confidentiality and discourages women from seeking prenatal care.

State and county officials named in Loertscher’s lawsuit declined to comment.

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