COMMON SEDATIVE VOIDS MOTHER'S CHILD CUSTODY

SANTA ANA, Calif. - A woman who was given a common sedative during labor
lost custody of her newborn son and three other children for three months
when the baby failed a drug test.

Orange County child-welfare officials say they only learned in last month
that the barbiturate found in Noel Lujan's son was prescribed by a doctor.

In the meantime, Lujan, 25, could not feed her child without supervision by
one of her parents. She contends she lost her job because of absences to
attend a required drug-treatment program.

"It was horrible," she said this week as she cradled her baby, Daniel, at
her parents' home. "The whole three months they were telling me I was a
drug addict, that I was in denial."

Lujan, who is unmarried, arrived at a hospital emergency room on Oct. 18.
Dr. Charles Moniak said he authorized her to receive Seconal, often used to
calm women in labor.

After Lujan gave birth, a social worker told her that Daniel had tested
positive for drugs, and she could not take him home.

Daniel and Lujan's other children, ages 2, 5 and 6, were put in her
parents' temporary custody, although Lujan was allowed to stay at their home.

The doctor who prescribed the Seconal said he was not contacted "before
they took those babies away."

"If this is an honest error, then we are sincerely sorry," said Michael
Riley, director of the county's Children and Family Services agency.