Court Custody Battle Summary
Summary
Renee Johnson, a 43-year-old mother from Michigan, seeks urgent intervention for the unjust separation from her 13-year-old daughter, Ellyce, through a court system that she claims has disregarded their rights and wellbeing. Despite her objections, the father, Dwight, was granted sole custody, a decision that lacks evidence and due process, leading to their forceful separation and emotional distress. The father, despite his criminal history, was allowed to cut off all communication, causing significant emotional damage to both mother and daughter. Renee has filed numerous motions for custody, all denied, while guardianship was granted to family members who have failed to prioritize Ellyces welfare. Renee insists that her daughters best interest lies in her care and requests a thorough review of the case and swift action to reunite them. She also highlights Ellyces health risks due to ulcerative colitis, not adequately managed by current guardians.Full Conversation
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Dear Chief Justice Elizabeth T. Clement,
I am writing on behalf of my *-year-old daughter, Ellyce VanDrunen, and myself, *-year-old mother, **** Johnson. I desperately plea with deep concern and anguish for your urgent intervention on a grave injustice that continues to take an immense toll on both our physical and mental health, and is deeply impacting the rights of both a mother and child.
My daughter and I have been forcibly separated by a court system that has failed to uphold justice, protect our rights, and has ignored the health, safety, and best interests of my daughter.
The events leading to our current situation have been marred with deceit, riddled with violations, neglect of legal procedure, and blatant disregard for due process.
In retaliation to my motion for physical custody, Dwight, the father of my daughter, filed an ex parte motion for sole custody promising he was going to take my daughter and keep her away as long as he could. This made it clear his intentions were driven not by a desire to parent but by a malicious intent to inflict pain upon me and alienate me from my daughter.
Despite my objection to this motion and my right to be heard, Judge Kevin Cronin denied me the opportunity to present my case and defend my rights as a mother and deprived me of a full evidentiary hearing.
Without any evidence of abuse or neglect, an order was issued indicating that the court did not have time to hear my objection and Ellyce was ordered to be uprooted from her home with me, where she was raised, loved deeply, and belonged, without involvement of Child Protective Services, nor any change in circumstances.
This situation violates our rights under the Michigan Constitution and family law provisions protecting parental rights and responsibilities.
Even with Dwight's troubling criminal history including numerous drug and alcohol offences and perjury/insubordination, resulting in time served in prison, he was granted significant rights over Ellyce including the authority to dictate the very minimal, supervised visitation that I was ordered without me having any criminal background.
Unfortunately, Dwight manipulated the court system, violated the court order, and with the power he was given, he was allowed to conceal my daughter, and alienate me completely.
On December 4th, *, Dwight cut off all communication between me and my daughter and despite my efforts, the court has failed to enforce communication leaving me no means to connect with my own daughter and allowing my daughter to be kept from me.
The devastation, heartache, and emotional toll inflicted on my daughter and I from being torn apart is immeasurable, causing severe, irreparable damage, and loss of essential life experiences that we should have shared together.
Ellyce is forced to suppress her emotions, numb herself to reality, and force herself to forget about her own mother in order to protect herself from the pain she endures which constitutes child abuse and neglect. Suppression of emotions has many consequences on the health and development of a child and will last throughout adulthood.
Ellyce sent me a last text message which read, “Mom, I do love you like I used to and I do want to come home, but I feel like if I let myself love you then I will just hurt even more than I already do.” I cannot explain the immense devastation and pain this continues to cause on our hearts.
According to the Center for Disease Control, the second leading cause od death in children between the ages *-* is intentional self-harm (suicide)
Source: National Vital Statistics System – Mortality data (*) via CD
I filed numerous motions in attempt to inform my family and the courts of Dwight's instability, and abuse and neglect of Ellyce e motions have all been ignored and denied by the court allowing the medical, emotional, educational, and physical neglect and abuse of Ellyce to continue.
The courts disregarded the safety and welfare of my daughter leaving her in an unsafe and unstable environment.
Then, without my knowledge the maternal Aunt Jenny filed a petition asking that guardianship of Ellyce be awarded to the maternal Uncle Matt due to the same reasoning of Dwight's maltreatment and neglect to Ellyce, and being unable to maintain his mental health which he coupled with substance abuse and gambling. Dwight's friends showed concern that he was a harm to himself and/others.
Guardianship was granted on September 23rd, *, but not even two weeks later, Matt went against the order and returned Ellyce to her father, placing her right back into the unsafe and unstable home with her father where she was just removed which showed Matt to be just as guilty of neglect and not concerned about the safety and health of Ellyce.
I filed another ex parte motion for custody along with a petition to terminate guardianship. The ex parte motion was denied and guardianship was terminated on January 4th, *. I pursued another motion for custody and another ex parte motion for custody on February 8th, *, unfortunately, they both were denied ignoring the safety of my daughter yet again.
Compounding the torture inflicted on my daughter and I, Ellyce tragically lost her father on Februrary 21st, * do to suicide while she was gone at volleyball practice.
The subsequent actions of my family and my from me ensuring I was unaware and unable to be present during such a critical time for my daughter and so the maternal Uncle Matt could petition to regain guardianship.
Almost one week later I was informed of Dwights death and I immediately filled an ex parte for custody. Prior to this motion Maternal Uncle Matt filled a petition to regain guardianship and it was granted.
Once again, I filed a motion for custody that was yet again denied. The paternal Aunt Heather also filed a petition for guardianship which is where I believe my daughter is being held and Matt and Heather want to share my daughter.
As a *-year-old girl, Ellyce needs to be in a stable and safe environment where she knows she is loved and saidsupported, especially during this heartbreaking time of losing her father. She needs her mother now more than ever to provide comfort and guidance through this period of grief.
Despite my continuous attempts to regain custody and guardianship, I have been denied access to my daughter and kept in the dark about her well-being and whereabouts.
This deliberate estrangement is causing immense emotional distress to both myself and Ellyce.
I believe that it is in my daughter's best interest to be returned to my care, where she can receive the love, support, and stability she needs during this difficult time. As her mother, I am fully capable and willing to provide for her physical, emotional, and educational needs, as I have never been found unfit as a parent.
The current guardians have failed to prioritize Ellyce's well-being and are perpetuating emotional abuse by keeping her away from me and concealing vital information about her health and safety. This situation is a violation of both my parental rights and Ellyce's right to be raised by a loving and responsible mother.
I implore you to review this case thoroughly and consider the undeniable evidence of neglect, harm, and abuse that Ellyce has been subjected to. It is imperative that her custody and guardianship be transferred to me, her mother, to ensure her physical and emotional well-being.
I am seeking justice, fairness, and the enforcement of laws and constitutional rights that have been disregarded in this case. Ellyce deserves to be reunited with me, her loving mother, and to have the opportunity to heal from the trauma she has endured.
I urge you to act swiftly and decisively in the best interests of Ellyce and to restore the rights and responsibilities that have been unjustly denied to us. Your intervention can make a significant difference in securing a safe and loving f foruture for my daughter
Ellyce's well-being is clearly at risk. She is reportedly in moderate/severe condition with ulcerative colitis and at risk of surgery resulting in a colonoscopy bag but her medical needs do not appear to be adequately met or overseen by the current guardians. I need to bring my daughter to University of Michigan to receive a second opinion which her father refused to do and I have been unable to help her.
Even though Dwight and I shared legal rights I was still not allowed at our daughters infusion treatments at Grand Rapids Children's Hospital since Dwight had me escorted out since it was not visitation time which he used the same excuse for her school activities.
Separating a child from her fit, devoted parent can only cause profound and lasting psychological and emotional harm.
Custody must be returned to her mother who is willing, fit, and able to prevent further damage to her relationship with her daughter. No mother or child should have to endure this anguish any longer.
Despite my intact parental rights, as I have never been found unfit, unwilling, or unable to perform my duties as a parent, I have been wrongfully deprived of my right and responsibility to mother my daughter.
My daughter's rights also have been ignored, eliminating her right to know, and be loved by her mother.
Scars continue to be created by the pain she has endured and forced to suffer.
My daughter has been torn from my arms and placed in such a painful situation where she is forced to numb herself to reality and forget about her own mother, dog she grew up with since they were both one years old, her home and memories we had and are kept from making.
The emotional toll inflicted on Ellyce by being separated from her mother is severe and irreparable which constitutes emotional abuse and neglect. This is a clear violation of Michigan law, which defines child neglect as placing a child at unreasonable risk to their health or welfare by failing to intervene to eliminate that risk.
Ellyce deserves to be in a loving and supportive environment where she can thrive emotionally and physically. It is imperative that her guardianship be terminated, and custody awarded to me, her mother, who has been unjustly deprived of my parental rights.
I have lived in devastation since *, and have been sentenced to suffer, missing out on the one thing in life I have always wanted, which is to be a mother. My daughter has protected herself from the pain she suffers the only way she knows how by forcing herself to forget her own mother and numb herself from reality which no child should ever have to do.
As leaders sworn to uphold fairness and the rule of law, we cannot turn a blind eye to such blatant disregard for the rights and welfare of innocent parties. I pray you will intervene and use your power to reunite me and my daughter.
I respectfully thank you for your time and consideration for help.
Sincerely,
**** Johnson
* E Sycamore St. Wayland, MI *
amazics277@gmail.com
*-*-*
**** Johnson, a *-year-old mother from Michigan, seeks urgent intervention for the unjust separation from her *-year-old daughter, Ellyce, through a court system that she claims has disregarded their rights and wellbeing. Despite her objections, the father, Dwight, was granted sole custody, a decision that lacks evidence and due process, leading to their forceful separation and emotional distress. The father, despite his criminal history, was allowed to cut off all communication, causing significant emotional damage to both mother and daughter. **** has filed numerous motions for custody, all denied, while guardianship was granted to family members who have failed to prioritize Ellyce's welfare. **** insists that her daughter's best interest lies in her care and requests a thorough review of the case and swift action to reunite them. She also highlights Ellyce's health risks due to ulcerative colitis, not adequately managed by current guardians.
that is it?
I understand the urgency of your situation. As a general legal information service, I can offer broad guidance:
*. Document all interactions with the court and other parties involved. This includes keeping copies of all motions filed and their responses, correspondences, and noting any violations of court orders.
*. Consider legal representation if you haven't already. A lawyer could provide more specific advice based on your circumstances.
*. You may seek assistance from child welfare agencies or similar organizations.
*. Always prioritize the well-being of your child in your actions and court communications.
Please consult a legal professional for advice tailored to your situation.
*. Document all interactions with the court and other parties involved. This includes keeping copies of all motions filed and their responses, correspondences, and noting any violations of court orders.
*. Consider legal representation if you haven't already. A lawyer could provide more specific advice based on your circumstances.
*. You may seek assistance from child welfare agencies or similar organizations.
*. Always prioritize the well-being of your child in your actions and court communications.
Please consult a legal professional for advice tailored to your situation.