Federal Appeals Court Decides “Cocaine Mom” Law Case Moot

A federal appeals court has decided a lawsuit challenging Wisconsin’s so-called “cocaine mom” law is moot because the “mom” has moved out of state.  Tammy Loertscher was living in Wisconsin when she filed the suit four years ago.  She claimed her rights were violated when she was tossed in jail while pregnant.  Loertscher had tested positive for meth and refused to enter drug treatment.  Opponents of the law say it discourages pregnant women struggling with addiction from seeking prenatal care.  The 7th U-S Court of Appeals decided Loertscher no longer needs protection from the statute because she no longer lives in Wisconsin.