Postpartum depression or child abuse?

Q.A woman accused of trying to drown her twin babies pleaded guilty to child endangerment Friday and was given probation by a judge who called it a case of postpartum depression.

A.``This is not a child abuse case. This is a postpartum depression case,'' the judge told Thompson. ``We want to walk you through this nightmare you've been through.'' Thompson appeared composed in court. In her purse was a magazine carrying the headline ``I Killed My Children,'' a reference to Andrea Yates, a Houston mother charged with drowning her five children last month. Yates' husband said she was suffering from postpartum depression. ``I pray for her every night. I know how she felt,'' Thompson said. ``It's an illness.'' they have joined a postpartum depression support group and are trying to put their family back together. While both knew she was suffering from postpartum depression, they say they neither knew the extent of it until she was found in the bathroom. Thing is, if this where a Father - he'd be instantly put on death row with 7 minutes to go before visiting the gas chamber. Come on, people, wake up. Look at how perverted the "justice system" is. We let people out of jail because of their gender or their "victim status", we put people into jail for victimless crimes (like smoking pot) and throw away the key! W.T.F. over?!? the other case below, have received a lot of attention. Many of us have wondered if 'postpartum depression' has become the excuse de jour. Here are some facts. There's much more at each of these sites. Something I've noticed in many of these cases (but not the Yates case) is that the mothers are often much older than most mothers. (Or maybe it's just the cases that get publicity.) The baby blues are common, affecting up to 85 percent of new mothers. Frequently described as "bad PMS," the blues most often strike within days of childbirth and pass in about two weeks. Reassurance, support and education help. Postpartum depression sets in two to four weeks after delivery and, without proper attention, can pose serious risks for mother and baby. It should not be confused with postpartum psychosis, a severe illness that leaves some sufferers at risk for suicide, child abuse or infanticide. ..and that you may never experience the humility that the power of the American Government has reduced me to, is the wish of him, who, in his native forests, was once as proud and bold as yourself. I do know that there wasn't really a Twinkie defense, but depression did play a part in a reduced charge. I think it was something like White was too depressed for premeditation.

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