The Nation : Senate Votes to Limit Contempt Jailings

The Senate voted to limit civil contempt of court jailings in the District of Columbia, a measure designed to free a mother jailed more than two years in a child custody dispute. The bill, drawn to deal with the case of Dr. Elizabeth Morgan, was passed by the House on Wednesday and now goes to President Bush. Rep. Stan Parris (R-Va.), who introduced the latest version of the measure, said: “I haven’t spoken directly with the President, but we’re told he is sympathetic and that the White House staff will encourage him to sign it.” The case that inspired the bill involves a mother who was sent to jail in August, 1987, after refusing a judge’s order to produce her daughter, Hilary, for court-ordered visits with Dr. Eric Foretich, her ex-husband and the girl’s father. Morgan has alleged that Foretich sexually abused the girl. Foretich has denied those charges.