A Canadian father is outraged and has vowed to go on a hunger strike after losing custody of his two special needs children. The two boys, 5 and 6 years old, will now be put up for adoption. And he believes the reason this happened is because he's too fat. The man, who used to weigh 525 pounds, now weighs 355 pounds. But he'll soon weigh a lot less, because he plans to stop eating until he gets his children back. "I am absolutely blown away by this decision, and I will not stand for it," said the fat dad.
The man, who lives in Ottawa and can't be named to protect his kids, says that his obesity was a big factor in the judge's decision. The judge ruled that the man's losing more weight would take up too much of his time, and he wouldn't also be able to parent two young special needs kids. I guess this wouldn't be so horrible if the children were going to go live with their mother, but they are being put up for adoption.
There is more going on here than just the man's weight. Also taken into the judge's account was the man's marijuana habit and his "violent" tendencies. However, even the judge acknowledged that the man was never violent with the children. The man also says he has been in counseling and taken anger management classes.
The judge heard much more than I did, so perhaps it was the right decision -- but putting two children up for adoption is serious and permanent. Children are going to love their father whether or not he's fat. Being obese certainly is a health risk. But it's about on par with smoking and children don't get taken away from parents who light up.
Would the kids pick up bad eating habits from dad? Possibly. But obesity and overeating is related to genetics, too. The kids could overeat wherever they end up. They may be even be more likely to overeat because of the trauma of being separated from their father.
As long as the parent loves their child and takes proper care of them, weight and other health issues shouldn't be a black-and-white determining factor in custody.
Do you think obesity should be a factor in child custody cases?
Image via Kyle May/Flickr
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Comments 45
Lydia - my STEPFATHER is the one who would console me and lift my spirits every time I came back from my fathers house balling my eyes out from being verbally abused(NEVER touched). HE is the one who has provided for me, given me my self esteem and is one of the most caring people I know. Keep your IGNORANT bullshit comments to your damn self and stop lumping people into categories!! I am ALIVE because my STEPFATHER and mother wouldn't give up on me!! Go do some research and you will find that plenty of women hurt their children. It is NOT just men. You are completely delusional and I pray to god you don't have children.
And the fact that you agreed with me on another article not too long ago made me realize my reaction was not the correct one.
Gosh, I wonder if the "marijuana habit and his violent tendencies" might have something to do with it.
If the kids were put up for adoption, it is most likely because there was a process, some recommendations and some chances given to the father to make corrections, which didn't happen. I think it is bad blogging and journalism to write such an incomplete opinion article! Either do the proper research to support your opinion, or don't say anything at all, please!!!
obesity is in rare form everywhere.
just a hint....clicking on the "too fat" link words will lead you to an actual article...gives WAY better detail than this person.
its not because he was too fat...it was SEVERAL other reasons.
@ the4mutts, I like your profile pic. My wife does, too. I think it's the confident smile that is the most attractive.
The reason why the kids aren't with their mother is cause she is some sort of addict and doesn't deal with them.
Now the reason the courts are involved is because in order to send the kids to foster care, they had to have a judge reaffirm what CAS guy stated and legalize it.
My heart totally goes out to this guy. This case could easily be any one of us if we're a bit on the bigger side and it sickens me how this man has dealt with these special needs kids for years (I think they were 6 & 9) and now this bs happens to him and them!
First, "fat dad" was a rude comment. Second, I read that the boys were put in a home with a single mother who already had 5 or 6 children. I'm sorry, but exactly how is that BETTER?