PROSECUTORS SEEK TO PROTECT FETUS OF JAILED WOMAN

Arrested for repeat drunken driving, she hasn't agreed to
treatment

From the Lisa Sink (sic)

Waukesha -- Prosecutors and social workers late Thursday were working
furiously to find a way to protect the fetus of a suspected repeat
drunken driver who is nine months pregnant and due to give birth
within a week.

"The jail doesn't want her," said Waukesha County Assistant District
Attorney Ralph Ramirez of the 30-year-old Milwaukee woman.

"We're looking for bail conditions that will address what appears to
be her profound alcohol problems in late-term pregnancy."

Virginia Forrest, charged this week with her third drunken driving
offense, late Thursday had not agreed to enter an inpatient treatment
facility.

Waukesha County prosecutors said they wanted to get Forrest out of the
jail as soon as possible because of their concerns about her health
and the health of her unborn child. They also noted that if she
delivers while in jail, the county could be financially liable for her
medical bills.

But prosecutors said they didn't trust Forrest to stay clean on her
own. If she's released, they want her to receive intensive treatment
and supervision.

"Our concern is for the safety of the fetus and the community,"
District Attorney Paul Bucher said.

Prosecutors worked Thursday with Waukesha and Milwaukee County social
workers to find a way to release her to an inpatient treatment program
or to house arrest with outpatient sessions and intensive monitoring.

Late Thursday, a Milwaukee County official met with Forrest in the
jail with a proposed treatment plan to help her and her child after
its birth. Tedia Smoler, an assistant state public defender appointed
to represent Forrest, said in a brief bail hearing Thursday that
Forrest was willing to be monitored electronically at home.

"She would be happy to do that and refrain from any further drinking,"
Smoler said.

Smoler said, however, that she did not know if Forrest would
voluntarily enter a 24-hour inpatient facility.

Forrest was ordered to return to court today. Meanwhile, she remained
in jail Thursday night, unable to post the $1,000 bail.

Under state law, prosecutors cannot force Forrest into treatment.
Under the new "cocaine mom" fetal protection law, however, Milwaukee
County social service workers could ask a Children's Court judge in
Milwaukee County to detain her in treatment until she delivers.

Deputy District Attorney Michael Bundy said he contacted Milwaukee
County officials to notify them of that option. But the social worker
who met with Forrest on Thursday instead hoped to resolve the issue
through Forrest's voluntary transfer to a treatment facility.

Bucher said he'd be "very surprised" if Milwaukee officials invoked
the new "cocaine mom" law with Forrest.

Forrest was charged Wednesday with third-offense drunken driving after
being arrested at 1:30 a.m. in Oconomowoc. Authorities said she
registered a 0.184 blood-alcohol level -- nearly twice the level
considered legal evidence of intoxication in Wisconsin.

She was convicted of drunken driving for the second time in June in
connection with a May incident, which also occurred during her pregnancy.

In the latest case, she told police she was "really messed up" and
threatened to bite, shoot and kill officers and hospital personnel. A
six-pack of beer was in her car, one can empty and a second partially

full.

Alcohol abuse counselors said Thursday that while it was necessary to
protect the woman's fetus, it had probably already suffered damage
from its mother's alcohol abuse.

Drinking alcohol during pregnancy is more dangerous and can cause more
serious birth defects than cocaine or other drug use, said Claudia
Roska, executive director of the Waukesha County Council on Alcoholism
and Other Drug Abuse.

"Alcohol is probably one of the most poisonous substances to the
fetus," Roska said.

"That's not to say that heroin and cocaine are not dangerous. They
certainly are. But we know a great deal more about how dangerous
alcohol is."

Prenatal alcohol abuse can cause severe mental retardation, hearing
and vision problems, developmental disabilities and motor skill
problems, Roska said.

Women who have questions or who would like help with prenatal
substance abuse problems can call the Pregnancy Resource Line at 548-4000.

Checked-by: Rich O'Grady