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Woman gives birth inside NYC courtroom while handcuffed to bench after 24 hours in custody, legal aid groups say (www.independent.co.uk)
submitted 2 days ago by FlashMobOfOne@lemmy.world to c/aboringdystopia@lemmy.world
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A woman was left “traumatized and humiliated” after being forced to give birth while handcuffed to a bench inside a New York courtroom after being held in custody for over 24 hours, a legal aid group has said.

Samantha Randazzo, 33, went into labor and was forced to deliver her child on a courtroom bench in Brooklyn on Friday “without adequate medical care, privacy, or dignity,” according to a statement from a group of public defenders and legal advocates.

Randazzo was surrounded by law enforcement, prosecutors and courtroom staff, some of whom reportedly laughed and joked at the situation, the group claimed. “She deserved care, compassion, safety, and dignity. Instead, she was subjected to trauma and humiliation in full public view,” the statement read.

The Independent has requested comment from the New York courts system.

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[-] thebestaquaman@lemmy.world 23 points 1 day ago

For what it's worth, medieval (and other historical) societies in general had pretty high respect for women in childbirth. In was commonly seen as among the more heavy and challenging things anyone could face.

[-] Mouselemming@sh.itjust.works 10 points 1 day ago

Part of that was the recognition that, even if she had committed the worst crimes, the potential infant would be innocent at birth (except of course for Original Sin) and deserved to try to live long enough to be baptized. So a pregnant murderess wouldn't be executed, for instance, until after the birth.

And it was normal for a midwife to be called to assist.

In non-criminal situations the mother's life was generally given precedence over the fetus's in a crisis. Partly because she could have more, partly because she was more likely to survive long-term if the intervention succeeded.

this post was submitted on 17 May 2026
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