Prosecutor offers court program for woman in child-for-sale case
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (AP) — A prosecutor says a western Michigan woman accused of offering a 2-year-old relative for sale on eBay can avoid a criminal record if she complies with a court program.
Kent County Prosecutor William Forsyth says investigators don’t believe 19-year-old Autumn Braden actually wanted to sell the child. But he says the 19-year-old from Allendale Township was having financial problems. Braden occasionally watched the child, who is a cousin.
Forsyth says Braden has no previous criminal record and was charged with a non-violent offense, which makes her eligible for the diversion program offered by the prosecutor’s office.
The Grand Rapids Press reports Tuesday the program can require fees, drug testing, referrals to treatment agencies and comprehensive monitoring for a minimum of six months.
Judge rules Whirlpool can change Maytag retirees’ benefits
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A federal judge has ruled that Whirlpool can change benefits for about 3,000 people who had retired from Maytag.
Whirlpool bought Maytag in 2006 and later closed the Maytag corporate headquarters and a factory in Newton.
Whirlpool had said it wanted to change the retirees’ medical benefits to bring them in line with current Whirlpool employees.
Des Moines television station WHO reports that Whirlpool is expected to drop prescription drug and other medical benefits for the retirees.
Local 997 retirees chairman Larry Shaver says the union is considering an appeal.
Whirlpool is based in Benton Harbor, Mich.
High court skips child-custody dispute involving same-sex couple
LANSING, Mich. (AP) — The Michigan Supreme Court has refused to take an appeal from a woman who has been fighting for joint custody of three children born to her female former partner.
In a 4-3 decision released Saturday, the court’s conservative majority says it’s not convinced the issues should be reviewed.
Renee Harmon and Tammy Davis of the Detroit area ended their relationship in 2008 after 19 years. Davis had three children through artificial insemination.
The Michigan appeals court says state law doesn’t grant parental rights to Harmon based on an agreement between two unmarried and unrelated people.
Supreme Court justices Marilyn Kelly, Diane Hathaway and Michael Cavanagh wanted to hear Harmon’s appeal. Kelly says the case is very significant and “cries out for a ruling by the state’s highest court.”
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