USE OF SEDATIVE COST WOMAN 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 learned only 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.

Lujan arrived at a hospital emergency room 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 Daniel had tested
positive for drugs and she could not take him home.