Mother Claims She Was Kicked Out Of Md. Casino For Breastfeeding
BERLIN, Md. (WJZ) — Outrage at a Maryland casino. A mother claims she was kicked out of Ocean Downs for breastfeeding her seven-week-old baby. Her story is going viral online.
Christie Ileto has more on the controversy.
Alana Panas is still in shock.
She says security kicked her out of Maryland's Ocean Downs for breastfeeding her daughter, Lilly, in the casino's lobby.
"Their signage says no one under 21 is permitted on the gaming floor. I told him I didn't understand I was just waiting for car keys from my boyfriend," said Panas.
Security told Panas because the seven-week-old was underage--she had to go.
"I was in shock, I could not believe that was happening. I was just trying to feed my daughter, I was not trying to take her gambling or anything."
Panas says after a family dinner they came to the casino. Her mother offered to watch Lilly while running errands. As Lilly grew fussy, Panas says she met her mom in the lobby to calm her down.
Ocean Downs posted an apology online saying: "We strive to make our guest's experience enjoyably. If any member of our team acted in a manner that doesn't promote that, we're sorry."
The casino reached out to Panas.
"The assistant director told me the reason why I was asked to leave is because I was seen as a security threat."
Posting her story on Facebook, Panas' experience has gone viral, receiving support from moms around the world--an incident she hopes will be a lesson not to be repeated.
Maryland is one of 46 states that have specific laws allowing women to breast feed in any public or private locations.
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