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NEW YORK, N.Y. — If you've ever been the parent of a toddler, chances are you've denied your child's request for a McDonald's Happy Meal at some point — perhaps even on a daily basis.
But a New York City father faces the threat of losing visitation rights with his son over what he claims was his decision to pass up the golden arches.
A court-assigned psychologist deemed David E. Schorr an "unfit" parent who is "wholly incapable of taking care of his son" after a botched dinner outing with his 4-year-old, Schorr told the Associated Press. Now he's fighting back with a major defamation lawsuit.
The drama began on Oct. 30, when Schorr and his boy were deciding where to go on their weekly dinner date. Schorr told his son the choice was a simple one: pick any restaurant in the city — just not McDonald's.
The child wouldn't have it. An epic tantrum followed.
Now facing a screaming, angry toddler, Schorr altered the terms of the decision: fill up on non-McDonald's food, or go without any dinner at all. Those who've ever attempted to negotiate with a 4-year-old won't have too much trouble predicting the outcome.
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"The child, stubborn as a mule, chose the 'no dinner' option," the lawsuit — filed Tuesday — reads.
Schorr ultimately ended up driving the hungry and livid boy back to his mother's house early.
"I wish I had taken him to McDonalds, but you get nervous about rewarding bad behavior," Schorr told the New York Post. "I was concerned. I think it was a 1950s equivalent of sending your child to bed without dinner. That's maybe the worst thing you can say about it."
The story didn't sit well with the boy's mother — who immediately took her son to McDonald's upon his return home, Schorr said.
And a psychologist assigned to evaluate Schorr, his estranged wife and their son took the boy's side as well, according to the lawsuit. She told a judge Schorr's visitation rights should be limited or eliminated entirely — citing the fast-food frenzy as cause for concern "about the viability" of his weekend visits with the boy.
Related:
St. George man's 14-year-old McDonald's burger just won't rot
The lifespan of a hamburger is usually measured in minutes: You get the burger, you scarf the burger, the burger is gone forever. A man from St. George, however, claims that he has a 14-year-old McDonald's burger that still looks like new.The psychologist failed to interview Schorr about the incident — only discussing it with the child and his mother, Schorr claims.
Schorr was outraged by the recommendation. Rarely being one to deny his son a cheeseburger and fries, he claims he put his foot down because his son had simply been eating too much junk food, according to the suit.
Schorr and his estranged wife have been locked in an ugly divorce battle over the past two years, according to the Associated Press. Schorr currently has custody of his son every other weekend, along with dinner every Tuesday.
The custody trial picks up again in December, during which the judge will determine if Schorr should retain partial custody of his son.
