Detroit-area mom jailed for ignoring deal to vaccinate son

A suburban Detroit woman was handcuffed Wednesday and sent to a jail for seven days for failing to follow an agreement to have her 9-year-old son vaccinated.

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An Oakland County judge noted that Rebecca Bredow agreed to the immunization last November. Her ex-husband wanted their son vaccinated, but Bredow is the primary caregiver.

"I understand you love your children. But what I don't think you understand is that your son has two parents, and dad gets a say," said Judge Karen McDonald, who found Bredow in contempt of court.

If my child was forced to be vaccinated, I couldn't bring myself to do it.- Rebecca Bredow

"It's clear to me that you don't care about orders even if you agree to them, which you did," the judge said. "Your attorney signed that order."

Bredow, a Ferndale resident, said she takes "full responsibility" for her actions. She said vaccinations go against her beliefs and she should have raised her objections sooner.

"I'm a passionate mother who cares deeply about my children, their health and their well-being. ... If my child was forced to be vaccinated, I couldn't bring myself to do it," Bredow said.

The judge said Bredow has a history of making child-rearing decisions without consent from her ex-husband. McDonald granted temporary custody to him and ordered the boy to be properly vaccinated.