When I could not find an attorney to assist me with the custody trial in Jacksonville, FL, I knew something was wrong. Finally, one attorney agreed to represent me against adoption attorney Michael Shorstein. I had to retain an attorney outside of Jacksonville to assist. However, my lead attorney did not seem to be solely working for my interests. She removed herself from a civil filing with a notice to the court that seemed quite protective of her reputation and relationships with other attorneys. How is justice possible?

In my case, nothing was forwarded and no actions were taken despite many letters to officials and government offices involved. Some of those working on my complaints against influential professionals have unexpectedly quit their jobs or said they were unable to complete the project for personal reasons. Attorneys starting my case with enthusiasm, lose hope and dramatically changed their opinion of the case. Judges deliver decisions that defy the evidence and violate the law. Blatant conflicts of interests are ignored, as are the best interests of my children. Justice is impossible it seems, but something I will pursue for the sake of my children and vulnerable new mothers in the future.

How those involved are not being held for their conduct is beyond comprehension. How many people call 911 from an attorney's office? Doesn't that speak volumes? I was terrified. My rights were ignored and the pressure imposed undeniable.

Although it is true that a parent's rights are important, so are the child's rights. As our supreme court said in Padgett v. Department of Health and Rehabilitative Services, 577 So.2d 565, 570 (Fla.1991), a child also has a fundamental liberty interest in being free from physical and emotional violence, and being given away to strangers is a pretty emotionally violent act. It might not be such a bad thing if the courts of this state let parents know that children are not just property to which parents have rights, but persons to whom they owe a sacred trust. (641 So.2d 84)

A year later, I was encouraged when the Supreme Court overturned a lower court decision terminating a father's parental rights because the adoption attorneys in FL (Jeanne Tate) intentionally mislead him on how to retain his rights. The justices were dismayed at the length of the proceedings and the obvious misconduct by the adoption entity. The father regained his right to parent his child.

Just a few weeks later, the appellate court ruled in my case and upheld the lower court's decision. I was appalled that they not only took my children, but also denied me a decision. This prohibited me from appealing to the Supreme Court of FL where historically, cases like mine were overturned. This seems to be a major issue in other states as well.

CONFLICTS OF INTEREST
You also expect that judges will disclose any conflicts of interest as they are required to by law. Appellate court judge, Hon. Thomas, disclosed he had a meeting with one of the members of opposing counsel on an unrelated matter.

"Judge Thomas, who is scheduled to hear oral argument in the above-referenced case, has requested to disclose, pursuant to Canon 3E(1) of the Code of Judicial Conduct and In re Frank, 753 So. 2d 1228 (Fla. 2000), that he has met with Representative Mahon to request support for a legislative appropriation for construction of a new courthouse for the First District Court of Appeal. Whlle Judge Thomas does not believe this presents grounds for recusal, he asked that the disclosure be provided." CLICK TO OPEN PDF]

After the custody trial ended, I found out that presiding judge, Hon. Elmie McRae Mathis, has many conflicts of interest with the respondents and their counsel, yet did not disclose it, and refused to allow a rehearing or recuse himself when we petitioned the court for this. I don't think it's a coincidence, nor do I think it's fair, that Mathis was the judge to sign off on these motions. How can he be free of bias about his own ruling?

The conflicts of interests we discovered seem much more significant than that of Hon. Thomas. See these relationships in the chart below.

[CLICK TO OPEN PDF]

How is one supposed to get a fair trial? Were my children allowed to be stolen because it was in their best interests or because of political and professional pressure?
I'm sure you know the truth now.