The 32-year-old mother was at Nessler Park Family Aquatic Center in Texas City, Texas when she was approached by a lifeguard who told her she was unable to breastfeed her child.
She said even though she was doing it discreetly, she was told it was against the public pool’s policy.
Eventually the pool’s manager and police were called.
According to the lifeguard and manager, Misty exposed both of her breasts and cussed at the lifeguard. Body cam footage, which the Texas City police shared on Facebook, showed the interaction between the officer and the pool employees and the officer and Misty.
Misty denied the claims against her.
[arve url=”https://www.facebook.com/Texascitypd/videos/2498997590133777/” /]
In the end, the officer asked Misty to leave the public pool.
“I don’t understand how it’s right,” she said. “It isn’t fair that I can’t feed my baby.”
The officer claimed the reason was not because she was breastfeeding, but because she cussed at the lifeguard.
Following the incident, the Texas City police issued a statement, apologizing to Misty for the way she was treated.
We, the City of Texas City are reviewing the nursing concerns raised at the Nessler Pool and how it was addressed by our staff. We apologize to Misty Daugereaux as it is clear she was offended by how she was treated at our City Facility. City policies and procedures will be reviewed and revised as deemed necessary. Any deficiencies regarding our employee’s actions will be addressed with further training.
A “nurse-in” was also staged to show support for Misty and other mothers who may have been shamed for breastfeeding in public.
According to Texas law, “a mother is entitled to breast-feed her baby in any location in which the mother is authorized to be.”
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