The Miami Herald 

Published: Wednesday, June 28, 1995

Section: LOCAL

Page: 2B

JOAN FLEISCHMAN Herald Columnist

 

 Watch for the camera to zoom in on the ankle of foster mom Kathryn Reiter as she tells her tale of woe Thursday to Sally Jessy Raphael. That's because Reiter is under house arrest for hightailing it out of town with Baby J for 25 days rather than give up custody. Reiter, a former Bay Harbor Islands councilwoman, wears an electronic ankle bracelet so authorities can monitor her.

 Reiter's criminal lawyer, Miguel de la O, got a judge's OK for Reiter to travel to New York for the taping June 13. Reiter, 38, appears on the show with husband Sidney, 74. "Morally, that baby belongs to us," she tells the audience.

 Reiter claims HRS reneged on its promise to let her adopt Baby J, born to a crack-addicted mother. The agency insisted it makes no guarantees, and a judge awarded custody to cousins of the biological mother -- despite the fact the Reiters cared the child for two years.

 The show, themed Give Us Back Our Little Girl, airs at 3 p.m. on WTVJ-Channel 4. Reiter's trial is set for July 24 in Broward County.
 
 

 
 
 

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