American Notes WASHINGTON

Plastic surgeon Elizabeth Morgan, 41, has committed no crime. Yet for almost two years she has been in prison. Reason: she refuses to permit her six-year- old daughter Hilary to visit the child's father, Eric Foretich, 46, who she alleges raped Hilary during previous visits. Judge Herbert Dixon sent Morgan to prison for contempt when she refused to reveal Hilary's whereabouts. Relief may be on the way: prompted by the Morgan case, the House of Representatives last week passed a bill to limit civil contempt-of-court sentences to twelve months. Based on the idea that a longer sentence turns coercion into punishment without due process, the bill now awaits action by the Senate.