Document 0681
 DOCN  M95A0681
 TI    HIV-positive father wins visitation battle in Maryland. 
 DT    9510
 SO    AIDS Policy Law. 1995 Mar 24;10(5):9. Unique Identifier : AIDSLINE
       AIDS/95700240
 AB    David K. North, after a four-year court battle, has been awarded
       visitation rights with his three daughters. North separated from his
       wife Kathryn in June 1991 after telling her he was diagnosed with HIV.
       The custody dispute originally centered around not only North's HIV
       status, but also his homosexuality (he had left his wife for the family
       friend and godfather to one of the couple's daughter's). Custody judge
       Audrey E. Melbourne allowed North to see his daughters at his home,
       excluding overnight, weekday or holiday visits. North's appeal focused
       on the medical aspects of HIV transmission in the household. Since Mrs.
       Norths' expert witness conceded that he knew of no recorded instances of
       a person transmitting HIV to another person through bathing, cooking or
       breathing, the judge agreed the risk of transmission was so small as to
       pose no threat to the children's safety. North was awarded visitation on
       alternating weekends, plus alternating Federal holidays.
 DE    Child Custody/*LEGISLATION & JURISPRUD  Expert Testimony  Fathers  Fear
       HIV Infections/PSYCHOLOGY/TRANSMISSION  *HIV Seropositivity
       Homosexuality, Male  Human  Male  Maryland  NEWSLETTER ARTICLE

       SOURCE: National Library of Medicine.  NOTICE: This material may be
       protected by Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.Code).