Breast-Feeding Driver Appeals To Higher Authority-Husband Says Only He Can Punish Wife

local6 ^

[chance33_98]

Breast-Feeding Driver Appeals To Higher Authority

Husband Says Only He Can Punish Wife

POSTED: 8:55 a.m. EDT August 6, 2003 UPDATED: 12:35 p.m. EDT August 6, 2003

RAVENNA, Ohio -- A woman arrested for breast-feeding while driving is appealing to a higher authority.

Catherine Nicole Donkers says she wants the Bible to be the law, when she goes on trial Wednesday.

She was busted in May when a truck driver called 911 to report that he had seen a woman driving her car with a baby in her lap on the Ohio Turnpike.

Donkers doesn't deny she was nursing her baby on the Ohio Turnpike, but contends she was improperly charged. She and her common-law husband are members of the First Christian Fellowship for Eternal Sovereignty -- an organization founded in Henderson, Nev., in the 1990s. It pledges allegiance to Jesus Christ and at times takes a dim view of government authority and believe it's wrong to require people to have legal documents.

Donkers faces charges including endangering her 7-month-old daughter.

When talking about the case, Donkers and Brad Lee Barnhill refer to their membership in their religion. Barnhill says he's a minister with 650 followers, Donkers is his wife and only he can punish her.

In court filings, the couple says neither has a Social Security number or driver's license and they don't have a marriage license either -- because they don't believe the government has the right to require such documents.

"I'm not required to get permission from the government to marry," Donkers said.

Previously, Barnhill, 46, appeared on "Good Morning America" and said religious beliefs put him in charge of his wife's actions, so he wants to be the one to go on trial.

In court filings, the couple said they think it's wrong to be required to have driver's licenses and they do not have a marriage license, although they said they are husband and wife.

Barnhill said, "Just like we don't need permission to get married, why should I need permission from the state to use my property on the road?"

A conviction for misdemeanor child endangering carries maximum penalties of six months in jail and a $1,000 fine.

[wideawake]

That's funny - this practice of punishing the husband for the wife is an Islamic one. No Christian society in history has ever had such laws.

[habs4ever]

Not this idiot Freeper again!

[wideawake]

why should I need permission from the state to use my property on the road?

Um, fornicating guy, did you build the road?

[MineralMan]

Funny story. What kind of idiot breast-feeds while driving. I can't think of a thing more dangerous to the infant. And no drivers' licenses, either. Sorry, folks.

[cincinnati65]

Barnhill said, "Just like we don't need permission to get married, why should I need permission from the state to use my property on the road?"

Because it may be your property, but it's the state's road, especially since I'm sure you claim a tax exemption for everything under the guise of your religion.

[Dianna]

Funny story. What kind of idiot breast-feeds while driving. I can't think of a thing more dangerous to the infant. And no drivers' licenses, either. Sorry, folks.

You think this is funny, wait until the wacko husband shows up on the thread. He's a FReeper, apparently.

[Scenic Sounds]

Catherine Nicole Donkers says she wants the Bible to be the law

She just doesn't want to put it to a vote. ;-)

[Dianna]

especially since I'm sure you claim a tax exemption for everything under the guise of your religion.

A tax exemption would mean filing tax returns. Neither have a social security number, bet they don't file.

[MineralMan]

"You think this is funny, wait until the wacko husband shows up on the thread. He's a FReeper, apparently."

You're kidding, right?

[petitfour]

My mother did it.

There are some truly weird people out there. I think they should take it all the way to the US Supreme Court to see what that bunch of loons (not all of 'em) thinks.

I wonder how many "wives" this preacher has.

[YOMO]

She was "busted" in May when a truck driver called 911 to report that he had seen a woman driving her car with a baby in her lap on the Ohio Turnpike.
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How appropiate for a story on Breast Feeding.

[WhatNot]

In court filings, the couple says neither has a Social Security number or driver's license and they don't have a marriage license either -- because they don't believe the government has the right to require such documents.

I guess their Bible does'nt have Romans Chap 13

[clintonh8r]

She should be charged with reckless endangerment. If she'd had a head-on the airbag would have detonated and that kid would have been turned into a puddle of stewed tomatoes.

[wideawake]

You're kidding, right?

Nope. The guy was apparently googling his case and found a bunch of FReepers mocking him - so he signed up to give us a piece of his mind.

[MineralMan]

"Nope. The guy was apparently googling his case and found a bunch of FReepers mocking him - so he signed up to give us a piece of his mind."

What's his freeper name? I've gotta look this up.

[wideawake]

I forget - but someone will probably remember.

[MineralMan]

Here's his web page:

http://bradbva.home.mindspring.com/brad.htm

[honeygrl]

Oh yeah, I forgot this guy was a freeper.. remember his username?

[honeygrl]

Nope, he is a freeper.