Do the rights of the father over his child actually begin with inception?

It’s a week old story, so I’ll have to look for it. But the long and short of it is; this couple are married and have a kid. The mother is institutionalized for a while, and deemed unfit. The father is awarded custody of the (now 10-year-old) child.

They get back together, briefly, and she is once again with child.

The father claims she is still abusive and dangerous, and once again leaves her.

Now, in a court case precedent, he is claiming legal custody of the (still unborn) child. That is, he is saying he thinks the baby in the womb is already at danger from her mother – and wants her protected by means of custody – while still in the womb.

Interesting.