Florida Mom Says Yes to Son's Circumcision

A South Florida woman who found herself at the center of a heated national debate over the merits of male circumcision has granted her permission for her 4 1/2-year-old son to have the procedure performed.

Heather Hironimus’ change of heart came Friday during a court hearing where she agreed to allow the procedure in an effort to facilitate her release from jail, the Naples Daily News reported.

Hironimus had 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.

Hunker of The Hunker Law Group could not be reached for comment. It is unclear at this time why the suit was dropped .

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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 May 14, jail records indicate.

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.

Hironimus was transferred to the Palm Beach County Jail from Broward County early Friday morning, jail records show. She is expected to be released later on Friday after signing the consent form, Local 10 is reporting.

It is unclear at this time how soon the boy will undergo the procedure.

Hironimus’ case was being watched closely by activists who say male circumcision is unnecessary and barbaric.

Booking photo courtesy of the Palm Beach County Jail

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