Divorce Battle Over Kidney Gets Nastier

Estranged Wife Responds To Husband's Demand For His Donated, Transplanted Organ Back Or $1.5M

(CBS)  A Long Island, New York woman involved in a bizarre divorce case denied her estranged husband's claim she'd had an affair and fired off some allegations of her own.

Dawnell Batista says Richard Batista was so obsessed with the idea that she was cheating on him that he went so far as to go through her underwear seeking signs she'd been with another man.

Richard, 49, a surgeon, is demanding that Dawnell Batista, 44, return a kidney he donated to her in 2001 or give him $1.5 million.

Richard claims Dawnell went on to be unfaithful.

At a pretrial hearing Monday, her lawyer, Douglas Rothkopf, said there'd been no affair, adding Richard was so convinced she was having one that he would examine her undergarments for signs she was cheating, reports Michelle Gielan.

Rothkopf also said Richard's kidney donation isn't the rare and valuable gift Richard claims it is.

"She is here today with her sisters, her extended family and her brother is not here; all were positive donors," Rothkopf said.

The judge delayed a decision on Dawnell's request for a gag order that would keep both sides from speaking with the media.

The Batistas have three children, ranging in age from 14 to 8.

[laurie1966]

I hope the judge will do the right thing and order this man to get psychiatric counseling.

[ddhgrocks]

He wants his kidney back? ***? This guy is insane. He''s probably the one who cheated! He might belong on http://www.DontDateHimGirl.com

[freckster]

Sounds like this is one of those doctors with a god-complex. A real control freak.

[dbenefield1]

Regardless of the situation, any organ donation is a rare and valuable gift. They need to be careful not to undermine that.

[brannigon]

It sounds like this dufus donated his brain too! DUH!!!

[sccomnsense]

Take a look at just how ridiculous this is! Yes, we all have problems and relationships go bad, but isn''t this situation just a bit too far? Pray this man gets some advise to allow himself and most of all his children from the embarrassment he is creating for all of them.

[bjo1109]

The dude gave her his kidney; if he wanted to be paid for it, he should have said so at the time. He can''t change his mind at a later date: no returns, no refunds.

[judysworld]

This guy must be on crack or something. I''m 100% certain I wouldn''t want someone that unstable performing any kind of surgery on me or anyone I cared about..........