Police department faces backlash over photo of officer comforting baby

[boston bean]

The Birmingham Police Department is facing backlash over a picture that went viral on social media.

The picture shows Birmingham police Officer Michelle Burton holding a baby whose parents had just overdosed. The father died and the mother is still in the hospital.

Burton ended up staying with the baby and her three siblings for more than six hours following the incident.

Burton's husband posted the picture on social media last week, praising his wife.

However, family members of the baby shown in the picture were not happy.

http://www.wcvb.com/news/police-department-faces-backlash-over-photo-of-officer-comforting-baby/41611062?utm_source=Social&utm_medium=FBPAGE&utm_campaign=WCVB%20Channel%205%20Boston%20-%20wcvb5&Content%20Type=Story

I agree, do not use children of persons who have overdosed to prove points or make yourself look good or someone else bad on social media. Jesus H. Christ.

[Brickbat]

1. As it should.

[Rex]

2. JHC, exploited? That baby looks content with the shoulder he/she is sleeping on.

I am sorry for the family, but I don't see any such comparison to the picture of the two parents ODing in their car. Not even close.

[Hortensis]

6. It's the posting of the picture on social media,

not the comforting shoulder. Private use of the child's photo a big no-no. The husband should not have had access to the photo either.

[Rex]

10. Well the genie is way out of the bottle on that one.

A little too late, but yeah I guess so.

[Hoyt]

3. Police do a lot of bad things, but that ain't one of them.

[mountain grammy]

4. Agree!

[boston bean]

5. A police officer husband taking a photo and posting the picture and information on his own personal

social media accounts was wrong!

And his wife's (agreement) in him doing so, makes her very wrong as well.

[Hortensis]

9. Agree. Officer snuggling baby in police care 100% right.

Private display of photos of the baby 100% wrong.

[boston bean]

11. posting pictures of officers with children in their official capacity and posting to their

private social media accounts is 100% wrong.

Jesus. I agree with you. Thanks!

[cwydro]

7. I know. The cop spent over six hours with the baby.

But the family is upset with her instead of the neglectful parents.

No words.

[boston bean]

8. They aren't upset the child was cared for. They are upset with the child being used in this fashion

on a police officers own personal social media.

[Mosby]

25. where was the aunt when her sister was ODing on drugs?

[boston bean]

26. Umm maybe at her own house. Or at dinner. Or at a movie. Or sleeping.

How the heck would i know?

[Mariana]

49. Where do you think she should have been?

You know, even when a family member knows perfectly well that the parent(s) shouldn't have the children, they can't just forcibly take them. Kidnapping is illegal.

[Warren DeMontague]

12. Tough call. I mean, we have argued- and won- the right to film police in their duties

and share that on social media as well.

Honestly, I'd be happy if the SWAT team that threw the flash grenade into baby bou-bou's crib faced sanctions.

http://thefreethoughtproject.com/infant-responsible-grenade-thrown-face/

The sad thing is, they won't and this officer probably will.

[boston bean]

13. not children. That is different.

[Warren DeMontague]

23. I understand the argument you are making.

[Hoyt]

14. Well, in 20 years, let's remember to ask the girl what she thinks.

[boston bean]

15. Not in the least relevant or a defense to this.

[Hoyt]

17. I'm sorry, I don't see the photo a problem, nor a reason for outrage.

[Rex]

20. What about this one?

I agree, imo there is a slippery slope to outrage when it comes to pics.

[JanMichael]

28. What an asshole!sarc... Look I hate the dickhead/killer cops but it's a 50/50 mix. nt

[Quantess]

16. That poor baby's got bigger problems than being in a photo.

Poor kid.

[boston bean]

18. It is still wrong.

[wheniwasincongress]

45. Thank you

I don't know why this is so hard for people to understand... Where the rest of the baby's family was is complely irrelevant to the police taking pictures of kids and posting them online without the family's permission...

[ProfessorGAC]

87. Not Understand?

I understand what Bean is saying completely. I just don't agree.

[Skittles]

52. so, we want them filmed only when they're doing something wrong

GOT IT

[Hoyt]

19. Exactly. And so will the kids of the next overdose. I think they ought to

put that photo on billboards, TV, etc., with the names of drug treatment resources.

[Chemisse]

21. It's wonderful what the officer did to help those poor kids.

But posting the picture on social media is wrong. The baby may only be 2 months old, but she has the right to privacy.

It's not 'hang-them-by-their-toenails' wrong, but it is wrong.

[NBachers]

22. Not gonna get all bent outta shape about this one.

[Angel Martin]

24. if Michelle Burton was America's worst police officer

the country would be doing a lot better.

[JanMichael]

27. Yes. nt.

[Laffy Kat]

29. Police officer did nothing wrong.

Police officer's husband used very poor judgement. I'm sure this violates HIPAA in some way. This was certainly a violation of that family's privacy.

[Jeffersons Ghost]

30. You are absolutely correct. He is a hero; however, his superiors "exploted" the image...

They released the photograph and story to media, without proper, responsible consent from close family members. [chineze satellite ode by their online agents = grade "F" ]

[Massacure]

44. HIPPA governs medical records and billing in the healthcare industry.

It wouldn't surprise me if there is a departmental policy or law of some time that prohibits identifying juvenile victims, but I doubt it is HIPAA.

[tymorial]

76. HIPPA has nothing to do with this

Nt

[Laffy Kat]

78. HIPAA not HIPPA (everyone does that).

And you are probably right but I'm not sure. HIPAA regulations extend to entities that interact with healthcare facilities, such as contractors and other agencies.

[gopiscrap]

31. Fucking Cop

used an innocent baby for their fucking propaganda.

[philosslayer]

35. Absolutely. She should be suspended at a bare minimum

[GulfCoast66]

46. So she should have left

The poor baby in the car until relatives came? Because God forbid she comfort the poor thing and people think we'll of a police officer. What if a news reporter had taken the photo? What's the difference. But it is what happened. It is news.

Too bad the parents were not so concerned.

And no, I have little sympathy for parents who OD with their infant in the car.

[tblue37]

48. This is not the car D situation or photo. It is a different case, different cop. nt

[Skittles]

51. WE GET IT, YOU HATE COPS

[ProudToBeBlueInRhody]

55. I can't imagine going thru life that angry

And sadly, it's not a gimmick (like some others)

[Skittles]

56. LOL

you don't know me, armchair analyst

[ProudToBeBlueInRhody]

57. Huh?

I was talking about who you were replying to.

[Skittles]

67. sorry, I thought you were replying to me

I get that a lot

[Hekate]

84. There's a lot of that in this thread

I can't believe the bile being spewed by "compassionate" liberals.

[Skittles]

85. they make me sick

seriously

[TexasMommaWithAHat]

32. It would be wrong if the child was much older

but this won't even be recognizable in a few months. Babies change that fast! It's not like the baby's privacy was violated.

[Laffy Kat]

33. Babies have the right to privacy, too. nt

[TexasMommaWithAHat]

34. It's a picture.

It's not like he published medical records, for goodness' sake!

Again, if the child was older and in school this would be very wrong, imo.

However, this is simply a little anonymous baby in that picture, and the baby will not be recognized in a couple of months. Anyone who's been around babies know that they change that fast.

It's much ado about nothing, imo. That family has a lot of reasons to be upset, but that shouldn't be one of them unless they have ulterior motives.

[boston bean]

36. It is more than just a picture. It is a complete

Invasion of privacy for the child and family. And in no way should cops Be posting pictures of victims on their own personal social media. And make no mistake. This baby is a victim. Not only of its parents actions but now the poor decisions of police in an effort to what?? Make themselves look good. Shame the family? It certainly was not posted in an effort to help the baby. Cops are paid to do these jobs. Did she do it well? I assume she did, until she dcided to use that child to her own benefit.

[TexasMommaWithAHat]

37. Oh, for fuck's sake!

Her husband posted the picture on his Facebook page. "She" didn't post the photo.

Did he list the baby's name, parents' name, and address?

I must be missing something here.

The family members are the ones keeping this baby in the news!

[philosslayer]

38. She knew exactly what her husband was doing

This was a staged event meant to exploit this child for the cops own benefit

[TexasMommaWithAHat]

39. Wow. You know that how?

Oh, wait.

It's obvious she meant to exploit a little black baby. Wicked, wicked white woman cop!

/sarcasm

[TCJ70]

40. What's the exploitation? N/t

[philosslayer]

41. The babies family believes she was exploited

[boston bean]

42. Not only that. According to the article family members learned of the death from that personal

Facebook page.

I think using children to shame parents or punish parents is disgusting. I also think it is disgusting for one, especially in public service, to use children in this fashion.

[GulfCoast66]

79. Well...

Parents that OD in the car with their infant probably deserve a dose of shaming. And it sounds like they took care of the punishing themselves.

Attacking the cops for caring for an almost orphaned infant is not really a viable strategy for building support for law enforcement reform.

[TCJ70]

43. I get that...but you said...

...that this was a staged event to exploit the child for the cops benefit. How are they benefitting? You seem to know.

[philosslayer]

58. Sympathy for the police

Pure and simple.

[MicaelS]

69. Can't have sympathy for the police, can we?

Got it.

[philosslayer]

71. Not when they're just doing their jobs.

n/t

[TCJ70]

73. This is what her husband wrote on Facebook:

"Last night, my wife Michelle Burton told me she would be late getting off work because of call she was on where the parents of 4 small children had both overdosed,” Brian Burton wrote in his post. “She spent the rest of the night taking care of these babies. She got home at 4 this morning. I’ve never seen her more beautiful than in this picture. What an incredible woman."

No personal info about the kids, it was on his personal Facebook as far as I can tell. No mention of police. Just a post in support of his wife. I found that in this WaPo article:

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/inspired-life/wp/2016/09/03/touching-photo-shows-police-officer-comforting-baby-whose-parents-overdosed/

There is no exploitation here. At all.

[GulfCoast66]

80. You are getting off meme

Last edited Sun Sep 11, 2016, 09:59 PM - Edit history (1)

She is a cop. The are all fucking evil. Stop posting stuff that makes it seem like they may actually care. Haven't you heard the latest rules...if you want to be considered a 'progressive' you must hate the cops.

[TipTok]

54. If the parents are indicators...

... that family probably isn't the best at assessment and decision making.

[FrodosPet]

62. I can believe I am from the planet Mars

That doesn't mean I am from the planet Mars.

[philosslayer]

63. How would you like it...

If one of YOUR childrens' picture was plastered all over the Internet by the police without your permission ?

[FrodosPet]

65. Is it because I was doing something stupid and dangerous?

Is it because I consider getting high to escape my problems more important than the safety and well being of that child?

If that was the case, I would blame myself for creating the situation to begin with. Then again, I feel honor and responsibility and self control are universal obligations.

[Eleanors38]

68. Maybe there is some inappropriate action by posting, but this is a minor flap.

The officer did her job, and did it well. The little guy needed someone, and the woman knew it. If someone wants to take this to court, better not have me on the jury.

[geek tragedy]

47. A boo-boo but nothing worthy of punishment.

"This child has a right and it's been violated. This police officer exploited this child," Adalane said. "No one gave them permission to take that picture."

Adalane also added that some family members first learned about the baby's parents overdosing by seeing the picture on social media.

The parents were unavailable to give permission as they had drugged themselves into a lethal stupor.

[stevenleser]

81. That's where I am at. Her boss should say "Don't do it again" and that should be the end of it.

This isn't outrage worthy.

[aikoaiko]

50. I wouldn't post a picture of someone else's kid on FB without parental permission

But that picture is the least of that child's problems

[bagelsforbreakfast]

53. so The babies family believes she was exploited...

They are simply ashamed of (and, on behalf of) themselves, because it might draw attention and reflect on them. {The baby will sleep through this}.

[Sunlei]

59. The baby looks fine but why was an officer baby sitting for 6 hours? Does Birmingham Police have

CPS or contact a family member to watch the children?

[Lee-Lee]

60. Let's be honest- this is just the remaining family hoping for a payout

Of all the huge problems that child and the family face from what is happening, a picture that didn't include the name or ID the baby or family shouldn't be anywhere on their list of priorities to be focused on.

But it is.

Because they see it as a chance to try and make a fuss and file a lawsuit and get paid.

That's a kind of crap cops deal with on a daily basis. Try and do the right thing and no matter what someone is always looking for any kind of angle to twist it to bash them or to try and make a fuss of nothing to get paid.

I once had someone threaten to sue the department because I let a child we watching until DSS arrived watch TV and the kid supposedly wasn't allowed to watch the program's he did.

[MicaelS]

70. No shit, that is exactly..

What I thought. They will get themselves an attorney in hope a getting a big fat check.

[Lee-Lee]

86. And so many here jump right on the bandwagon like fools

They see any accusation against police and jump right behind it no matter how stupid and baseless it is or how obvious it is that it is just an attempt to cash in.

[heaven05]

61. the intent and motive of posting

this photo is the question here. If meant to be offensive in any cultural manner, given the days and times that have increased, not without reason mind you, sensitivity to all matters racial and cultural, then the police officers are just feeding into a fever that is raging in the body of the american politic.

If not, then a moment of compassion for a helpless human being can easily be misconstrued as something other than just human compassion for another helpless human being. In other less sensitive times this may have been seen as just a moment of compassion and an attempt by these officers to show the world that their compassion was intact. But these times make many, not without reason(s), question all motive since the color of human beings was on display. The situation is sad for the parents who for whatever reason had enough pain to forget their responsibility to their children and do what they did, OD. Sad for that baby and siblings who will join many others across racial and cultural lines facing exactly the same situation and for the same reason(s) life as a foster child somewhere if the extended family does not pick up the pieces.

At least the police officer, I feel, had 6 hours of real compassion until things got sorted out. I am willing to see and feel that much. No sanction necessary toward them, just my opinion.

Not trying to contradict anyone with strong feelings, pro or con, about this situation. I am really trying to garner some positive humanity from the situation. Those children and their upcoming life of doubt, fear and pain is what concerns me. Not a moment of, I feel, compassion for a helpless human being

[KittyWampus]

64. Posting pix of officers doing bad=good. Posting pix of officers doing good=bad.

The hypocrisy in this is so blatant it's impossible to not mention.

[phylny]

82. The picture could have been posted just the same

with the baby's face blurred. The child, no matter how young, has a right to privacy. A child should not be a prop.

[Dreamer Tatum]

66. The agenda of people who have a problem with this

Is much greater and more harmful than the agenda of the person caring for children in peril.

The story isn't that the cop took care of some kids- it's that someone has a problem with it.

[Hekate]

72. No good deed goes unpunished, eh?

Christ on a trailer hitch, people. People in the prime of their lives are dying out there, right in front of their babies and little kids.

A police officer stays with the most recent orphans for 6 hours until a place can be found for them and this is all you (and I mean many in this thread, BB, not just you) compassionate liberals have to say?

Gods help us.

[Matrosov]

74. Police propaganda

Why post the picture? Because 'oh, look at this nice white police officer comforting some black baby and not being a racist prick'

[Hekate]

83. Looked up your name on impulse.

Hero of yours?

Aleksandr Matrosov – Russiapedia Military Prominent Russians
russiapedia.rt.com › RT projects › Russiapedia › Prominent Russians › Military
Aleksandr Matrosov was a Soviet soldier who died heroically during World War II. ... On 19 June 1943 Matrosov received the award of “the Hero of the Soviet Union” posthumously. .
http://russiapedia.rt.com/prominent-russians/military/aleksandr-matrosov/

[tymorial]

77. I believe the much of outrage here as far more to do with general loathing for police

and less to do with the actual photo. The language of many of the responses is evidence enough.

I generally dislike and have had a problem with law enforcement long before the recent spotlight on abuse and murder of young black men.. That being said, I find the response to this photo to be opportunistic.

[Renew Deal]

88. I'm not all that motivated about it