Vegan mom

Sarah Anne Markham (Courtesy of WKMG Local 6)

CASSELBERRY, Florida -- A Florida woman was arrested Tuesday after police say she refused to admit her dehydrated newborn to a hospital, or to give the baby non-vegan food or medication.

Sarah Anne Markham, 23, was charged with child neglect and the 12-day-old baby was placed into protective custody, according to Orlando-area media.

Markham reportedly took her child to a pediatrician, who diagnosed the baby as being dehydrated. WESH 2 reported that the child had also lost weight instead of gaining weight since birth.

The doctor ordered the baby to be admitted to Florida Hospital South and gave Markham medication for the infant, the news station reported. When the child was not admitted, the doctor called police.

Officers responding to Markham's home tried for more than an hour to get her to open the door, WKMG Local 6 reported. A locksmith had to open the door for police.

Markham told the officers she wanted a second opinion about her baby's health, the news station said. She also told them she had bought organic soy formula from a nearby Whole Foods Market as a replacement for the medication the doctor had prescribed.

When asked if a doctor had confirmed that the formula was safe for the baby, Markham reportedly said that it was organic, so it must be safe.

Click here to read more from WESH 2. Watch WKMG's report in the video below.

What do you think? Was Markham right to demand a second opinion, or should she have immediately had her child hospitalized? Should she have been allowed to follow her beliefs as a vegan? Tell us what you think in the comments.