There is a growing group of Holmes County Citizens that are prepared to ask a few hard questions about the direction that parental and other Freedoms are taking. The concerns rise from the recent Midwife Freida Miller case.

Miller was Arraigned on March 4, 2002 on charges of: Practicing Medicine without a Certificate and the Possession of Dangerous Drugs. The charges were reduced to misdemeanors to which Miller Pled Guilty to May 1, 2002. Her sentence then included 200 Hours of Community service, a fine of $ 3,000 and Probation for 3 years. The Probation included a Protocol restricting Miller's practice. This was implemented by a Board Including a Doctor, Probation Officer, Prosecutor, a Judge, Miller and her Lawyer.

These proceedings give rise to the following questions:

Was it Constitutional for a Judge to threaten the Defendant with a "stiffer sentence" if Supporters showed up at the Courthouse on the day of Miller's sentencing? Was there a reason he did not want the Public to know what is really going on in Holmes County?

What about this statement from the Prosecuting Attorney? "It's a difficult situation for everybody, especially the Courts. It's a difficult balancing act between a mother's right to a birthing experience she chooses and the state's right to protect unborn children who don't have a choice and can be put at risk because of parent's choices."

Knowling's statement is curious, in light of the state supported Roe v. Wade ruling (that from conception to birth, abortion is legal because the "fetus" is not yet a "child".) Actually, it puts home birthing in a worse light than abortion itself.

Are parents' rights to privacy violated when the Health Department steps into a Midwife's home and copies Names, Addresses and Personal Information of Holmes County parents who plan to Homebirth?

In light of the Prosecuting Attorney's comments (above), what does the Health Department plan on doing with at least fifty Families' Personal Information?

When a Medical Doctor is brought up on criminal charges, do all his patients automatically lose their right to personal privacy?

Isn't it ironic that the "victims", Ray & Jan Joyal, are very supportive of the "offender", Freida Miller?

And think about it: When dangerous mind altering Street Drugs are sold,  the offender is merely juggled through the Court System, but when a sincere 47 year old Mennonite Midwife administers medication to save someone's life the same Judicial System ignores the normal constraints to Prove a Point? (In some states Midwives are required to carry this medication.)

As a part of Probation, a letter of apology was required of Miller to the Public. That letter was revised by the Judge to reflect his own preferences without the Defendant's Consent.

Is that Freedom of Speech?

Why was this requirement to "Cooperate with Criminal Investigations" not included in the Plea Agreement, but slid in under the Carpet by Judge White at time of Sentencing?

What is the future of Holmes County's Parents and Children who have religious boundaries that determine their choices, when it doesn't fit the mood of the politically correct? Can we hope for a respectful relationship with the medical & judicial systems?

-Concerned Parents of Ohio, Committee Members