A recent lawsuit filed against the Vermont Department for Children and Families, a counseling center, and a hospital has brought to light concerning allegations of the state's treatment of pregnant women. The lawsuit, brought forth by the ACLU of Vermont and Pregnancy Justice, accuses the child welfare agency of using baseless claims about a pregnant woman's mental health to conduct a secret investigation and gain custody of her daughter before the baby was born.
The complaint outlines how the agency allegedly targeted the woman, identified as A.V., based on information provided by a homeless shelter director regarding her mental health. Despite lacking jurisdiction over fetuses, the state reportedly conducted investigations involving the woman's counselor, midwife, and hospital social worker without her knowledge.
