AnthonyMiller

Continued to have a hearing without me present while I attended a funeral of a close family member, forced reunification of 6 minor children exposed to domestic violence and abuse with an active injunction in place, would not allow testimony from witnesses including counselors, social workers, family members. Would not allow the children to testify even though they requested to. Denied motions before they were heard regarding incompetence of the therapist “Rosie Harkness” who I later discovered is a convicted felon with a conviction of domestic battery, charges of child abuse, and a 14 year restraining order against her by her own children. Allowed all parties, including witnesses to sit in the whole hearing instead of making them wait for their testimony outside the courtroom. Made witnesses wait outside the court until they were called to testify and then did not allow them to testify. Placed orders that violate the injunction. Listened to testimony from Rosie Harkness falsely accusing the mother of filing 9 false reports of abuse to DCF, when the mother did not file any of the reports and they were all filed by different mandatory reporters (parents of the children’s friends, gu

This judge ruled based on hearsay testimony of a guardian ad litem who was ill informed of the facts of the situation. Florida law does not allow guardian ad litems to give hearsay testimony.

Concerns have been raised regarding the handling of allegations of child abuse Specifically, despite a report made by a mental health provider concerning suspected abuse, no emergency hearing was scheduled following the report. Additional concerns relate to this judge's apparent reliance on hearsay testimony during proceedings. It is alleged that significant decisions affecting custody and related matters were made based on statements that were not subject to direct testimony or cross-examination. The handling of these matters including the combination of delayed judicial response to abuse allegations and reliance on hearsay evidence undermine confidence in the fairness and thoroughness of this judge's process, particularly given the seriousness of the concerns raised regarding child safety.