Hot News: Single Army Mom Refuses Deployment to Care for Baby; Arrested Briefly - Post your comments!

A single mom may face criminal charges after she skipped her deployment flight to Afghanistan because no one was available to care for her 10-month-old son while she was overseas.

Specialist Alexis Hutchinson, 21, claims she had no choice but to refuse deployment orders because her mother is not able to take her son (her mom already cares for three other relatives with health problems).

Her mother had originally taken the child, but bought him back right before Hutchinson had to deploy. Hutchinson told her commanders she needed more time to find another person to help, but Hutchinson was ordered to deploy on schedule. One of Hutchinson's superiors told her she would have to deploy anyway and place the child in foster care.

When Hutchinson didn’t show up to deploy, the military police arrested her and placed her son into custody overnight with a daycare provider on the Army post. Hutchinson’s mother has since picked the child up and took him back to Oakland, California.

Hutchinson remained confined to the boundaries of Hunter Army Airfield in Savannah, GA. No charges have been filed, and she will not be deployed while the investigation is pending.

What do you think - should the Army have arrested her for not deploying?

What should be done for single parents who are scheduled to be deployed, but have no one to care for their child?

Post your comments!

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Comment by Sox on November 21, 2009 at 9:14am: I know exactly what this mom is going through when I was in the Navy I was called upon to do duty on one of my off duty days. I was a single mom of two boys and I did get arrested and kicked out of the Navy. This happens more often then you know about. Single parents are targeted in the service. If one of your superiors don't like you and your a single parent with custody this is where they attack you. This girl needs a private lawyer because the Jag lawyers will not help her. They told me I had no choice but to accept whatever happened to me. I went from being in the Navy to being unemployed with no place to live for me and my children in about 3 months. It ruined my life and was devastating to my family. I had been a "4.0" sailor up to that point meaning I was at the top of my rank and peers. That didn't matter.

Comment by Gracia on November 20, 2009 at 5:14pm: This is that 'Great System Of USA' PPL take a look @ what some sign for, Unbelievable how the law can have unexpected & twisted outcomes, but once again, this dat great America.

Comment by T Tee on November 20, 2009 at 5:12pm: As a former US Army Resevist and a female I STATE: THE MILITARY IS NOT A MATERNITY CARE CENTER. I do not condemn the act, but this soldier must accept responsibility. She certainly enjoyed the benefits....I am out of the military because I know the committment it takes.

Comment by WC2c on November 18, 2009 at 2:35pm: @Darla one can not MAKE a person take care of a child. No body wants to place a child with a caregiver who DOES NOT WANT THE RESPONSIBLITY. That usually ends in abuse sometimes even death OF THE CHILD.

I do agree I believe they thought 'surely the military will let me stay states side' WELL NOW THEY KNOW THAT SIMPLY IS NOT THE CASE.

Comment by David Jones on November 18, 2009 at 9:56am: This is a reality check for everyone especially mothers. NOW!!! What fool could leave there helpless child and put there life in danger for, /#^().

Comment by WC2c on November 18, 2009 at 9:55am: @ Sherrel No a soldier should not let the military dictate their right to have a baby... . BUT one MUST make intellegent choices ONE OF WHICH IS TO POSTONE MOTHERHOOD UNTIL YOU GET OUT.. SHE IS 21 AND CLEARLY HAD PLENTY OF TIME TO GIVE BIRTH...AFTER SHE GOT OUT. It is not like she is 38-40 and the clock is ticking.

I personnally hope the State of Georgia investigates her mamma 'daycare' 14 kids sound to me it may be over the legal licensing limit. Further shame on her mom if it is and she would perfere to run an illegal day care than to take care of her grandson. If it is within the GA licensing law WOULDN'T A LOVING GRANDMA REDUCE HER CENSUS IN HER DAY CARE TO SAY 5-6 to free her up for the care of her GRANDSON. The Army also requires you to report how you are going to support the child(ren) financially when you are deployed. Pay allotments for child care expenses and personal care expenses such as food clothing medical care can be sent DIRECTLY TO THE CAREGIVER. So it wouldn't be like GRANDMA was doing this for free. I wonder if Grandma figured ...'oh well If I don't do it surely they will allow my baby girl to stay behind state side'. Could have grandma sabatoged this to MAKE SURE HER DAUGHTER COULD STAY STATES SIDE OUT OF HARMS WAY?????

AND AGAIN WHERE IS THE DADDY????? What about his mom or sister?

Comment by Darla on November 18, 2009 at 9:52am: I am quite sure this response is not what you would expect from a non-military woman, just a retired-spouse. SSGT Jones reply is very motherly, however, WRONG ANSWER! I feel for the young PVT's plight, however, it's the bed she made. And no we don't know the status of the father, however, personally it is the problem of the person listed on the 'Family Care Plan' to make arrangements. Having been a military spouse for 29 yrs 2 mos I understand the demands left on the servicemember as well as the spouse that is left to care for the children, mow the grass, clean the house, make it to sports practices etc. But, that was my job as well as the place I was employed. The grandmother is actually the one that SHOULD step up to the plate, she knew the demands and personally I feel they (the grandmother and the soldier) think this is a way to get out of deploying. I have no sympathy both of our children are servicemembers; neither have children one is going through a rocky marital situation right now, just coming off his 3rd deployment and headed out again in March; the other just went through a difficult divorce and is headed to Guantanmo for 18 mos. THIS IS THEIR JOB and as my son put it, "Mom, you basically raised us alone. It is time for you to enjoy yourself, it would not be fair for me to have children right now and there is the strong possibility that Elizabeth and I both have to deploy...and you end up taking care of the kid. If she wants kids then she needs to get out of the service." That is maturity! On the other hand the one headed to Cuba spent the last 7 yrs in San Antonio and got rather comfortable, so during her 18 mo departure I am taking care of 6 dogs ranging from English Bulldogs to Miniature Pinscher. Military life has consequences and today's military is not for those looking for just a paycheck and stability, you must be prepared to step up to the plate and perform the words of the 'Oath' you took. Jail NOT! But son needs to go back to California or wherever and grandma needs to do her duty!

Comment by WC2c on November 18, 2009 at 9:41am: @ Maria no females are not FORCED TO CHOOSE MOTHERHOOD OR SERVICE

She entered the military NO PREGNANT. She got pregnant AFTER she enlisted SHE COULD OF CHOSEN BIRHT CONTROL. DAH but that is water under the bridge. She should be give a hardship discharge AND LET THIS DRAMA END.

WHAT I WANT TO KNOW IS WHERE IS THIS BABY'S DADDY!!!!!! ?

Comment by Richard McDonald on November 18, 2009 at 5:28am: This is a mixed bag for sure. Dual responsibilities, in confict. If she'd just left her child, what would that mean. Without proper support, a single parent should not be in the military. She now knows her support is not reliable. Missing deployment is a serious issue. Perhaps the Army will discharge her, "For the Good of the Service." as a worst case. Hopefully, with no more stigma than that. The penalties could be, but probably won't be, Confinement for some period of time.

Comment by Ralph on November 17, 2009 at 11:49pm: She should be charge with crime and with a dishonorable discharge. Family care plan everyone has to sign it married or signal parents. I don't care if she is a female right is right and wrong is wrong she have not join retired navy 2008.