COVID-19 ER Doctor Loses Custody Of Daughter Over Coronavirus Fears

An emergency doctor from Miami, Florida, has lost the custody of her 4-year-old daughter after a judge temporarily suspended her right to spend time with the child because she is treating COVID-19 patients.

Dr. Theresa Greene, however, is fighting back after her ex-husband, Eric Greene, was granted temporary full custody of their daughter. She said that Eric was able to request for an emergency order even as she tested negative for COVID-19.

Judge Bernard Shapiro ruled that their daughter must stay with Eric until this pandemic is over to lessen the risk of exposure.

"In order to protect the best interests of the minor child, including but not limited to the minor child’s safety and welfare, this Court temporarily suspends the Former Wife’s timesharing until further Order of Court. The suspension is solely related to the outbreak of COVID-19,” the judge's order stated.

Theresa, however, is filing an appeal because she’s not sure when she will be able to see her daughter again, as no one knows when this pandemic will be resolved.

The mother reasoned that she is careful at work by wearing full PPE to protect not just her daughter but also herself. The doctor thinks that the judge's order is discriminatory against divorced parents working in the frontlines. Theresa said that if she were still married, she would be allowed to return home to her daughter.

"I think it's not fair, it's cruel to ask me to choose between my child and the oath I took as a physician," the doctor told CNN. "I won't abandon my team at work or the patients who will increasingly look to me to save their lives in the coming weeks, but it's torture."

Her ex-husband's attorney, Paul Leinoff, said that the sacrifices of Theresa are "recognize and genuinely appreciated."

"The Court's ruling was not intended to serve as a blanket rule, nor should it. Pursuant to Mr. Greene's request and as ordered by the Court, Dr. Greene is to be provided future make-up timesharing for each day missed during this challenging time and daily video communication with the child," Leinoff wrote.

Theresa also said that her daughter might not yet understand what is happening. However, she hopes that once her daughter grows up, she’ll realize that her mother abided by her oath as a medical doctor.

A petition has been lodged, allowing frontliners who are solo or divorced parents to keep their children.