WESTLAND, Mich. (WXYZ) — A metro Detroit mother is speaking out after she claims she was shamed for breastfeeding at a local restaurant.
Danielle Shannon, a nursing mother, said staff at the Golden Corral on Warren Road in Westland asked her to cover up. Shannon refused, so the staff threatened to contact police.
"It shouldn't be a stigma," Shannon said. "This is how babies eat. If you don't like what you're seeing, turn away."
State law allows mothers to breastfeed in any public place they are legally allowed to be at, including restaurants.
"I have my 4-year-old sitting next to me scared asking me 'Is mommy going to jail?'," Shannon said.
In a statement sent to 7 Action News, Golden Corral of Westland, LLC, said "We are aware of the guest report at 37101 Warren Road in Westland, Michigan. As a family restaurant, we welcome nursing mothers and their children at our restaurants. It is never our intention to make anyone feel uncomfortable and we have reached out to the guest to express our sincere apologies and invite her and her family to dine with us without charge. Because we take these issues seriously, we have already taken steps to ensure managers and co-workers at all of our locations understand our policies and can consistently demonstrate our genuine respect and care for all guests.
Shannon said even though the company offered, she will not be returning to Golden Corral to eat for free, and that this experience is enough for her to never go back.
