LilMtnCbn
01-11-2005, 06:13 AM
http://www.firstcoastnews.com/news/topstories/news-article.aspx?storyid=30565
Advocate Group Says Judge's Order Affecting Evan's Fate Is Flawed
By Jennifer Brice
First Coast News
JACKSONVILLE, FL -- It's wrong. A wrong decision based on wrong information.
That's what one group favoring the local adoption of little Evan Johnson says
about a judge's ruling.
The challenge is a seemingly last ditch effort as the little three-year-old
gets set to be returned permanently to his birth mother later this week.
Guardians Dawn and Gene Scott continue their fight for Evan by refuting the
most recent court order that denies their last appeal. The Scott's, along with
the child advocacy group "Hear My Voice," say the judge has the facts of the
case wrong. In a five page letter, "Hear My Voice" claims there are seven
inaccuracies written by Judge Waddell Wallace, starting with the claim that the
Scott's "expressly promised to return Evan" to his birth mother if the adoption
failed.
Debbie Grabarkiewicz, Director of Case Advocacy for Hear My Voice says Evan's
birth mother never sought custody until several months ago.
"When I first saw it, I though he couldn’t have read the records because it
was so off the record. But in his defense, he's the ninth judge to have this
case."
Birth mother Amanda Hopkins tells a different story.
"Yes, I did have that agreement," she told First Coast News.
"I thought about my child first by letting the court deal with it or hash it
out."
The Scott's plan to hold a press conference to talk about that court order.
Their attorney, Susan Pniewski, says she will file a federal lawsuit against
the state judicial system on the basis that Evan's constitutional rights are
not being considered.
Judge Waddell Wallace did not have a comment. General Council for the courts
say judges are not allowed to speak on any pending case.
Evan is supposed to go back to his mother Saturday. That will be the permanent
move.
-------------------------
A good friend will come and bail you out of jail . . . but, a true friend will
be sitting next to you saying, "Damn . . . that was fun!"
-----Unknown
Advocate Group Says Judge's Order Affecting Evan's Fate Is Flawed
By Jennifer Brice
First Coast News
JACKSONVILLE, FL -- It's wrong. A wrong decision based on wrong information.
That's what one group favoring the local adoption of little Evan Johnson says
about a judge's ruling.
The challenge is a seemingly last ditch effort as the little three-year-old
gets set to be returned permanently to his birth mother later this week.
Guardians Dawn and Gene Scott continue their fight for Evan by refuting the
most recent court order that denies their last appeal. The Scott's, along with
the child advocacy group "Hear My Voice," say the judge has the facts of the
case wrong. In a five page letter, "Hear My Voice" claims there are seven
inaccuracies written by Judge Waddell Wallace, starting with the claim that the
Scott's "expressly promised to return Evan" to his birth mother if the adoption
failed.
Debbie Grabarkiewicz, Director of Case Advocacy for Hear My Voice says Evan's
birth mother never sought custody until several months ago.
"When I first saw it, I though he couldn’t have read the records because it
was so off the record. But in his defense, he's the ninth judge to have this
case."
Birth mother Amanda Hopkins tells a different story.
"Yes, I did have that agreement," she told First Coast News.
"I thought about my child first by letting the court deal with it or hash it
out."
The Scott's plan to hold a press conference to talk about that court order.
Their attorney, Susan Pniewski, says she will file a federal lawsuit against
the state judicial system on the basis that Evan's constitutional rights are
not being considered.
Judge Waddell Wallace did not have a comment. General Council for the courts
say judges are not allowed to speak on any pending case.
Evan is supposed to go back to his mother Saturday. That will be the permanent
move.
-------------------------
A good friend will come and bail you out of jail . . . but, a true friend will
be sitting next to you saying, "Damn . . . that was fun!"
-----Unknown
