I would like to publicly thank Judge Woolard for a decision she made in her courtroom last May. That month my son was taken from me after his father lied and forged court documents to get a restraining order against me. This "father" had been unavailable during the first 9 years of my son's life because he was incarcerated for dealing drugs. Thankfully, Judge Woolard saw through the lies and claims that I abused, neglected and abandoned my son. She returned my son to me and jailed his father for contempt, granting him supervised visitation until the formal custody plans are decided in court. That was seven months ago, my son has not heard from his father since. He has refused to cooperate with this process, refused interviews with a Guardian Ad Litem, and effectively fired his attorney.
So why would any attorney still be fighting me for custody of my son? Ask Lou M. Baran. She was my son's father's attorney, and is still actively seeking custody for him even though he is no longer a client. She has filed an appeal with the state appellate court and has asked that the judge's decision be overturned, (a point which is moot because Judge Woolard already overturned the contempt charge), and my son be returned to a father who has clearly shown he is not interested in this child. Why, Ms. Baran? This appeal, which is clearly about Ms. Baran's bruised ego over her loss in court, is costing me thousands of dollars. Yes, Ms. Baran, you have a legal right to pursue this fight without a client. You can legally go after me and the Judge to make yourself feel better. But the real pawn in your little game is my son, and that is despicable!
Bravo, Judge Woolard. Thank you for taking a stand, and shame on you Lou Baran, stand down.
Sandi M