MILWAUKEE — A registered sex offender will be allowed to visit his severely ill 9-year-old son despite objections from Wisconsin Children’s Hospital, a Milwaukee County judge ruled Wednesday.
The order from Judge William Pocan carries restrictions, however. Stuart Yates, 49, must give two-hour advance notice for his visits and he can only stay for six hours each time. Yates must also be with his son at all times.
Yates was barred from the hospital on March 6 after hospital officials learned of his past. He was convicted of second-degree sexual assault of a child in 1998 and served six months in jail under a deal with prosecutors. Yates said he was at a house party with strippers and didn’t know the victim’s age.
Pocan’s ruling came after testimony from a court-appointed guardian who supervised recent visits from Yates earlier this month, when he was allowed to visit his son three times a week for two-hour stretches. Yates can now visit every day.
A hearing for the hospital to argue to dismiss Yates’ lawsuit is set for June 1.
Well, it’s something. He should not have to give any notice at all and, assuming it doesn’t compromise the level of care his child receives, I hope that lawsuit stings that hospital badly enough to make all hospitals think twice about such BS restrictions.
Shameful that it takes a judge’s ruling to do the moral thing and he present for your Ill child.