'COCAINE MOM' TO GO ON 'MONTEL WILLIAMS'

Waukesha -- A Waukesha County woman who for years has resisted help from
local social workers and physicians is set to appear on "The Montel Williams
Show," which apparently has offered to help her combat a drug abuse problem.

The 26-year-old woman, identified in court documents as Angela M.W., made
legal history last year when the state Supreme Court decided in her case
that officials could not take a woman into custody to protect a fetus.

An official said Thursday that he doubted the television show would help
Angela. "To me, that (she's agreed to appear) says more about
attention-seeking than wanting to deal with an issue," said William Domina,
assistant Waukesha County corporation counsel.

"I just don't think you find a cure for addiction by going on a national
talk show no matter how caring the host is," he added.

However, Domina said he hoped Williams would raise awareness about dealing
with drug-abusing pregnant women.

"I think the story is a national story," he said. "What are we going to do
with these women? Under the law in Wisconsin I can't do anything about it."

A bill pending in the Legislature would allow child-protection workers to
force drug-abusing pregnant women into treatment facilities at any time
during their pregnancy.

Lauren Kucerak, public relations spokesman for "The Montel Williams Show"
said Thursday that dates to tape and broadcast the show were being
finalized.

"She was just booked a couple hours ago to do the show," Kucerak said.
"They're putting it together right now."

Kucerak said she had no details about the show's theme and did not know
whether anyone else connected to the woman's case would be asked to appear.

However, the Waukesha woman has told others that her segment will air Jan.
16 and that she will be paid $1,200, sources said Thursday. The woman, not
fully identified to protect the identity of her 2-year-old boy, could not be
reached for comment Thursday. She is fighting to regain legal custody of the
child.

Kucerak said the woman would be paid only for her airline and hotel costs.
"We don't pay our guests for their appearance," she said.

Angela, who is due in April to deliver her fourth child, has said that she
quit using drugs shortly after learning she was again pregnant. But she was
arrested and charged last month with possession of two crack cocaine pipes,
which police say they found in the soles of her shoes.

Angela said that another woman set her up and that although she was walking
and dancing in the shoes that night, she did not feel the pipes under her
feet.

Angela's brother, Jason, 22, said in an interview Thursday that Angela was
excited about the show's offer and had asked him to go to New York with her.

"She's thinking about moving down there," said Jason.

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