Circumcision Lawsuit Dropped in Federal Court

The lawyer for a Boynton Beach mother who claims performing a circumcision would violate her 4 ½-year-old son’s constitutional rights has dropped a federal lawsuit that would have prevented the procedure from taking place.

Heather Hironimus has been so adamantly opposed to the routine medical procedure, she defied a court order and hid out with her son for a time before being brought into custody in Broward County last week on charges of interference of custody.

On Monday, a federal judge heard an emergency motion that was meant to halt action to circumcise the boy while the mother faced the interference charges.

Hironimus’ attorney, Thomas Hunker, filed the initial suit and the emergency motion on Hironimus’ behalf. He also, on Wednesday, withdrew the federal suit, the Palm Beach Post is reporting.

Hunker of The Hunker Law Group could not be reached for comment Wednesday morning. It is unclear at this time why the suit was dropped or if the child will now undergo the medical procedure.

The brouhaha over the circumcision began in 2013 when Hironimus revoked her permission for the boy’s father, Dennis Nebus, to have the procedure performed. That action sparked a series of events that led the one-time couple into a Palm Beach County court where a judge ruled that Nebus had the right to have the boy circumcised.

Rather than hand the child over to Nebus as ordered, Hironimus fled. She reportedly hid out at a domestic violence shelter with the boy.

Deerfield Police caught up with her on Thursday, jail records indicate.

See Also:

• Mom Asks Court to Stop Circumcision
• Mom Stows Baby in Hot Trunk to Avoid Ticket, Cops Say
• Pistol Packing Mom Goes to Jail for Shooting Venomous Snake
• ‘I’m Not Looking for Justice,’ Says Mom Accused of Bullying Bully

Monday’s hearing was meant to block the procedure while the now-pulled federal lawsuit worked its way through the system. The suit contended the procedure would violate the child’s constitutional rights while placing him at risk for side effects from anesthesia and possible permanent genital damage.

The federal judge on Monday withheld ruling in the case, but did effectively place a hold on the boy’s circumcision by stating that Nebus could not have the procedure done without giving 10 days’ notice to the court, the Broward Palm Beach New times reported.

Hironimous was still being held in the Broward County Jail Wednesday without bond on hold for Palm Beach County, jail records indicate.

Booking photo courtesy of the Broward County Jail

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