The woman who made national headlines after she gave birth to her son
prematurely in an Ottawa jail cell was finally reunited with him Thursday
evening after being granted bail in Cornwall earlier that day.
Soon after arriving in Ottawa under strict release conditions, Julie
Bilotta, 26, cradled little Gionni in her arms as tears streamed down her
cheeks. “He’s so perfect,” said Bilotta, staring at his closed eyes as she sat
on a couch inside the Elizabeth Fry Society of Ottawa where she will receive
care.
She was
being held at the Ottawa Regional Detention Centre for allegedly breaking bail
conditions in relation to drug and fraud charges. She said jail staff ignored
her calls for help Sept. 29 when she began to give birth in her cell. It was
only when her son’s foot was visible that staff took her seriously, she said. “I
felt like I had my rights taken away from me,” she said.
With
all the attention she had received, and after a protest was held Wednesday in
response to her treatment, Bilotta said she is happy there is an internal
Ontario Correctional Services investigation. She said her situation puts a
spotlight on the issue of treatment of incarnated women. “I think a lot of
other women will probably come forward with personal issues and stories that
have happened there,” said Bilotta. Bilotta’s lawyer, Don Johnson, said her
next court appearance is scheduled for Nov. 29.
Metro News Canada
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You did have your rights taken away because you stole and then sold oxycontin
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