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The Justice League of Ohio is looking for legal assistance in Oceanside, CA and Tampa, FL in a child-sexual assault case
Thursday, August 20, 2009 12:01 PM
Please read below for a request for assistance in a case in which the Justice League of Ohio is representing a child victim who was victimized in Oceanside, California and Tampa Florida . If you can provide assistance please contact Catherine Harper Lee, Executive Director of The Justice League of Ohio at CathyHarperLee@tjlo.org.
The Justice League of Ohio needs assistance with a child physical & sexual abuse case, 5
year old child. The child reported sexual assaults in Oceanside California and Tampa Florida.
The alleged perpetrator, father, moves frequently-12 times in the past 3 years. Both incidents
were reported the day the child was returned to her mother in Ohio . Children's Services has
substantiated physical and sexual abuse naming father as alleged perp. Ohio Medical experts
and Ohio law enforcement have provided testimony and depositions stating it is their belief
that the child has been both physically and sexually abused; however, domestic relations judge
has repeatedly not considered the testimony or evidence and granted father custody.
In April
2009 the Court of Appeals overturned judge citing the judge had abused his discretion in not
properly considering the weight of the evidence in determining the best interest of the child
and remanded the case back to the judge. During a July 24th hearing the judge again, without
hearing witness testimony or reviewing evidence of sexual & physical abuse, issued an order
stating the mother was to return the child to the father that day and was to have her for 7
months. Mother said she was not prepared to produce the child that day and did not know her
whereabouts. The judge cited the mother for contempt and ordered her into custody until she
produces the child. The mother remains in jail today.
We have filed on behalf of the mother in
Ohio ; Notice of Appeal, Motion for Bond including a request for a stay on the contempt in the
Court of Appeals–it appears mothers due process rights had been violated, and an Affidavit for
Disqualification of the judge in the Ohio Supreme Court.We need assistance with the criminal
matters in Oceanside California and Tampa Florida to determine the dispositions of the
investigations. It appears that these investigations may have been stalled and/or closed
because the father moved within a couple weeks in both instances and neither had an
opportunity to interview the child and I suspect may not have seen the medical evidence
and expert testimony. I think it is critical to ensure that law enforcement in both
jurisdictions have all evidence and testimony from experts and that the criminal matters in
both jurisdictions be fully investigated and resolved. In addition, according to court
transcripts, the father appears to have plead guilty to sexually abusing his 4 year old half
sister when he was 17. The father is now 25. Any assistance would be greatly appreciated.
National Crime Victim Law Institute
310 SW 4th Ave. Suite 540
Portland, Oregon 97204
w. 503.768.6953 | f. 866.301.8794 | www.ncvli.org
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