Funeral Protester Charged After Son Steps On Flag

Thursday, July 5th 2007, 5:42 pm

By: News On 6

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) -- A Kansas woman whose church protests at military funerals across the nation was charged with three misdemeanors Thursday after her son stomped on a United States flag during a demonstration in Bellevue, Nebraska.

Forty-nine-year-old Shirley Phelps-Roper of Topeka, has been charged with negligent child abuse, contributing to the delinquency of a minor, flag mutilation and disturbing the peace.

Phelps-Roper says she will aggressively fight the charges, which were filed in Sarpy County Court by County Attorney Lee Polikov.

An official with the American Civil Liberties Union says the organization will likely represent Phelps-Roper.

Phelps-Roper is a member of the Westboro Baptist Church in Topeka, which protests military funerals across the country.