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Mother arrested after she refused to give her baby formula.

Sarah Anne Markham was arrested

 

A mother refusing to take her sick newborn to hospital.

Police breaking down a door to assist the 12-day-old baby.

It’s almost unbelievable – but it took place this week in the US.

And you won’t want to believe the reason why: it was all because the mother wanted the tiny baby to be a vegan, and was afraid the hospital would feed her newborn formula made with animal products.

According to WKMG-TV, 23-year-old Sarah Anne Markham took her baby boy to a pediatrician when her baby was failing to put on weight.

The doctor insisted she take the sick baby to hospital for rehydration and tried to give the baby medicine.

But according to police, Sarah Markham refused to give the medicine to her baby because it contained “non-vegan ingredients”.

The doctor then ordered her to take her baby straight to emergency, where a bed was waiting for the sick infant. But Sarah Markham refused to do this, instead returning to her home.

The young mother, from Florida, is a strict vegan in accordance with her religion and allegedly was concerned the hospital would give her baby formula made from animal products.

WKMG-TV reports that when police arrived at her home, Sarah Markham refused to answer the door and police were forced to call a locksmith to get inside and speak with her.

Police say the young mother

She told police she was waiting to get a second opinion and was interested in a “religious-based treatment.”

It is reported she “did not believe her child was dehydrated because it was still having regular bowel movements.”

Sarah Markham – a Seventh Day Adventist – told Police she would feed her baby an organic soy formulainstead.

ClickOrlando.com reports:

“Markham said she purchased organic soy formula, and when asked if she confirmed with a doctor if it was safe for a newborn, she said that if Whole Foods Market sells it then the formula doesn’t contain any animal parts and, therefore, must be safe, according to police.”

The police report says police finally convinced her to go to the hospital, but that an hour later she still had not gone.

Police arrested the young mother.

Yesterday she was released from jail on bond, but will not be able to see her child until a court hearing.