Fort Carson soldier who gave birth while incarcerated released

Fort Carson soldier who gave birth while incarcerated released
The Gazette
By Erin Prater
December 13, 2013

A former Fort Carson soldier who was pregnant at the time she was imprisoned for desertion during a tour in Iraq has been released early for good behavior and performing extra work.

Army Pvt. Kimberly Rivera was released from Naval Consolidated Brig Miramar in San Diego Thursday after serving nearly seven and a half months of a 10-month sentence, her civilian lawyer, James Branum, said.

Branum submitted a clemency request to Fort Carson officials on Rivera's behalf several weeks ago, when Rivera was still pregnant with her fifth child, he said.

In the request, Branum asked that Rivera be released 45 days early, allowing her to prepare for birth, give birth, and bond with and breast-feed her baby.

The request, submitted with nearly 500 letters from supporters around the world, was denied Nov. 28, after Rivera had already given birth, Branum said.

Kimberly Rivera and her husband, Mario Rivera, will now focus on "rebuilding their lives," likely with extended family in Texas. Where the family eventually ends up will depend on "wherever they can find a job and cheap rent," Branum said.
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