I Want The House, The Kids And The Kidney!
No Chance, Says CBS Legal Analyst Lisa Bloom On Case Of Man Wanting Wife To Return Donated Organ
-
Play CBS Video Video Husband Wants Kidney Returned A New York doctor filing for divorce wants his wife to return the kidney he gave to her in exchange for his broken heart. A legal expert explains the details of the case.
-
(CBS/AP)
It's a touching tale and one that has been met with ridicule from area divorce attorneys.
"She ripped out his heart, but he doesn't get to rip out her kidney," says Lisa Bloom, a legal analyst for CBS' The Early Show.
Calling this a publicity stunt by the scorned husband, Dr. Richard Batista, Bloom says there is absolutely no chance his soon-to-be ex-wife, Dawnell, will have to give her new kidney back.
"He wants his pound of flesh," Bloom said, but "he's not going to get it by way of the kidney."
For his part, the doctor said he would accept $1.5 million in compensation. He's also said that despite his marriage crumbling and a strained relationship with his three kids, he does not regret donating the kidney.
"There is no greater feeling on this planet. As God is my witness, I felt as if I could put my arm around Jesus Christ. It was an unbelievable; I was walking on a cloud.
To this day I would still do it again."
For more on this story and Bloom's scathing analysis, click below:
© MMIX, CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Best-selling author Mitch Albom on his first nonfiction work since "Tuesdays with Morrie."





- 1
- 2
- 3
- next
See all 44 CommentsIf you have been through a divorce you would understand the frustration and lack of support the legal system has for the father. Basically, the woman dictates the custody; empowering her even more if it gets ugly.
Posted by SusanHelit at 03:46 PM : Jan 09, 2009
And you base that opinion on what....?
SusanHelit
Review the facts as they are presented. The original divorce was filed years ago and this recent statement is that he has not seen his kids in months, well before he filed this claim. This act is what he needs to do to move the process along. Far less worse than her withholding the kids from their father.
Posted by laurieleemoo at 03:57 PM : Jan 09, 20"
Read my post. That is what I said. Your referring to my reply to another post.
I hope his attorney charges him out the ying-yang which will not be collectible either!
It''''s just a sad story.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Posted by mecury69 at 03:27 PM : Jan 09, 2009
A gift is a gift...period....NO need for a contract
This guy is a total moron and so is his attorney if he''s telling his client he has any chance of winning.
This is Basic Law 101!!!
Now, if they behave, they can share the kids - but there''s no doubt far more to the story here.
As a judge, no doubt, this will NOT help him get to see his kids more.
"The couple shared the joy of three daughters, but Dawnell was battling kidney failure and the couple''s relationship turned shaky.
Her husband - a surgeon at Nassau University Medical Center - injected her three times a week with medication as part of her health care regime.
Dawnell''s health continued to deteriorate. After two transplants failed, her husband volunteered to donate one of his kidneys - and discovered he was a match, a 1-in-700,000 shot.
"I was the first and only one to step to the plate," the doctor recalled. Without his donation, Dawnell faced a long wait: There are 6,748 people awaiting kidneys in New York State, the New York Organ Donor Network says."
But there is no ''contract'' that I know of, so nothing was breeched to support it.
It''s just a sad story.
and this is not one of them.."
Such as?
Posted by mitch6544 at 12:56 PM : Jan 09, 2009"
Yes, you are absolutely right. But let''s see a news source including CBS print the whole story and explain WHY he is doing this. It''s not a broken heart like the writer wants to spin it.
It''s even worse for his self centered *unt of a wife.
"Batista insisted his cash-for-kidney claim was a direct result of his wife''s behavior. He said he hasn''t seen his three daughters - ages 14, 11 and 8 - in months."
UNACCEPABLE under ANY circumstances. Neither parent OWNS a child. Unless there is neglect (and nothing has been mentioned and his actions appear to be just the opposite) he has every right to see his kids. She has no right to deny him.
"Dawnell Batista viewed the kidney as a new lease on life, too. She returned to school to earn a master''s degree in nursing, and took up karate, her husband said. After an injury suffered while trying to earn her black belt, she began physical therapy - which evolved into an affair with her therapist, Batista said."
This is part of the story. Print it. She has the right to counter it.
This guy had no choice but the help the mother of this children. The selfish *** should have been allowed to die on a waiting list.
He''s not entitled to the kidney or money since it was a gift but ***, this guy deserves a beautiful, devoted, loving wife and he will get one from this story.
- 1
- 2
- 3
- next
See all 44 Comments