FORMER MICHIGAN SHERIFF EMBROILED IN CHILD CUSTODY CASE

Child custody disputes can and do occur when both parents have their own interests at heart. The goal of the courts is to ensure that children have strong and healthy relationships with both parents, regardless of the parents’ relationship dissolving. In some cases, parents may be well within their rights to be concerned about their other parent continuing to be involved with the children, however. A Michigan man recently says child custody rights were violated after authorities did not restore his parental rights.

The man alleged that the mother of his two sons was unfit after she gave birth to a third child who tested positive for cocaine. The two boys she shared with the man, a former sheriff, were turned over to his care, only to be removed three months later. He was allegedly involved in a domestic altercation with his children’s mother, and tested positive for cocaine use.

He has since been incarcerated. While he is filing for the children to be returned to his custody once again, the court has considered it to be a non-issue, since he is in prison, has demonstrated a violent temper and received a lengthy sentence for possession with an intent to distribute. Asking for custody of his children at this juncture, according to the courts, is moot.

This state Supreme Court case could affect how other such complicated child custody cases are decided. State officials stand by Michigan law to protect those too young to protect themselves. When one or both parents are deemed to be unfit, sometimes grandparents are the next best option before turning to the foster care system. Non-custodial parents or grandparents who feel that the parent currently with custody of the children are acting against the children’s best interests may be able to petition a family law judge to consider whether child custody should be awarded to another party.

Source: mlive.com, Former Jackson County sheriff candidate says rights were violated in child custody case; Supreme Court to hear arguments, Danielle Salisbury, Nov. 5, 2013