NEW YORK (AP) -- A Danish woman who sued the city after she was arrested for leaving her baby outside while she drank margaritas inside a restaurant has been awarded a fraction of the millions she was seeking from a federal jury.
Anette Sorensen, 32, had sued for $20 million, arguing that she was falsely arrested and that leaving babies outside is a common practice in Denmark. She was awarded $66,400 on Tuesday.The jury found only that she should not have been strip-searched and that the city commonly failed to advise arrested foreigners of their right to notify their consulates.
Sorensen was arrested in May 1997 outside an East Village restaurant along with the baby's father, Exavier Wardlaw. Criminal charges that they had endangered their child later were dropped.
The police, answering a 911 call, came to the restaurant after the baby had been in her stroller outside the restaurant for more than an hour.
Ms. Sorensen and Wardlaw were inside the restaurant having drinks. They said the baby girl, Liv, was sleeping comfortably in the stroller, which was parked outside the restaurant but close enough that Ms. Sorensen could see the baby's face.
Ms. Sorensen claimed police became angry that the couple did not agree they were doing something wrong and arrested them because of their attitudes. She testified that she checked on the child five or six times during the time the couple were inside.
Sgt. Gregory Ajose said he was grateful the jury realized "we acted in good faith that evening to protect the interests of a 14-month-old child." Added officer Neil Pero: "I'm glad the jury saw it the way it actually happened. It restores my confidence in the judicial system."