3 Kids Sentenced to Detention Facility for Refusing Visitation with Abusive Father
Trigger Warning for Domestic Violence
A group of parents and children cannot believe the sentence a judge imposed for three siblings who refused to spend time with their own father.
"What happened to freedom of speech? They are constitutional heroes for sticking to their guns," said Karen Gilcher, a family friend.
Now they're out of the Oakland County courthouse demanding the children -- ages 14, 10 and 9 -- be released from Children's Village. They could be there until they turn 18.
"There are adults who commit felonies who aren't sentenced to 3 or 4 years incarceration," said Mark Honeyman, a teacher.
Oakland County Judge Lisa Gorcyca last month didn't hold back in court as she sentenced the children to detention. They went against her orders to allow their father to be a part of their lives.
She said this to the oldest sibling:
"You're supposed to have a high IQ, which I'm doubting right now because of the way you act. You're very defiant. You have no manners."
The 14-year-old boy told the judge he has witnessed his father hit his mother. The judge said the children's father is a good man.
She wasn't any easier on the youngest sibling -- a 9-year-old girl.
"God gave you a brain. He expects you to use it," said the judge.
She also asked the girl: "You want to have your birthdays in Children's Village? Do you like going to the bathroom in front of people?"
Parents feel the judge was out of line not only with the sentence but also with her choice of words.
"I deal with kid who misbehave in my classroom all the time. I have never used the kind of language that I have seen being used in these courtroom proceedings," said Honeyman.
http://m.clickondetroit.com/news/oakland-county-kids-locked-up-for-refusing-dinner-with-father/34059726">Source
Before Oakland County Judge Lisa Gorcyca tossed three children into a detention center last month for refusing to spend time with their own father, the oldest sibling, who is 14 years old, told the judge he witnessed his father, Omer Tsimhoni, abuse his mother, Maya.
That was the teen's basis for why he doesn't want anything to do with his father.
Gorcyca responded with, "Your father is well-liked and loved by the community, his coworkers, his family, his colleagues. You, young man, have got it wrong."
Gorcyca has also placed the teen's 10-year-old and 9-year-old siblings in Children's Village.
Beth Morrison is president and CEO of Haven. It's a non profit that helps victims of domestic violence and sexual abuse. She's concerned about the impact of the judge's sentence, specifically the impact on abuse victims.
"If I reach out for help, whether it's through the legal system or other systems, I fear that I am going to be blamed. I am going to lose my children," she said.
Omer Tsimhoni has never been charged with any abuse. A family friend denied any abuse ever occurred.
"Mr. Tsimhoni has great respect for the court and the legal system. He is a loving, caring father who desires a healthy relationship with his children," the statement reads.
Morrison said she does know the facts of this particular case, but she says victims of abuse need to trust their voices will be taken seriously.
"We want them to be heard and listened. We want them to feel that there is some support for them," she said.
A hearing is planned Friday in the case.
source
This is just horrifying.
A group of parents and children cannot believe the sentence a judge imposed for three siblings who refused to spend time with their own father.
"What happened to freedom of speech? They are constitutional heroes for sticking to their guns," said Karen Gilcher, a family friend.
Now they're out of the Oakland County courthouse demanding the children -- ages 14, 10 and 9 -- be released from Children's Village. They could be there until they turn 18.
"There are adults who commit felonies who aren't sentenced to 3 or 4 years incarceration," said Mark Honeyman, a teacher.
Oakland County Judge Lisa Gorcyca last month didn't hold back in court as she sentenced the children to detention. They went against her orders to allow their father to be a part of their lives.
She said this to the oldest sibling:
"You're supposed to have a high IQ, which I'm doubting right now because of the way you act. You're very defiant. You have no manners."
The 14-year-old boy told the judge he has witnessed his father hit his mother. The judge said the children's father is a good man.
She wasn't any easier on the youngest sibling -- a 9-year-old girl.
"God gave you a brain. He expects you to use it," said the judge.
She also asked the girl: "You want to have your birthdays in Children's Village? Do you like going to the bathroom in front of people?"
Parents feel the judge was out of line not only with the sentence but also with her choice of words.
"I deal with kid who misbehave in my classroom all the time. I have never used the kind of language that I have seen being used in these courtroom proceedings," said Honeyman.
http://m.clickondetroit.com/news/oakland-county-kids-locked-up-for-refusing-dinner-with-father/34059726">Source
Before Oakland County Judge Lisa Gorcyca tossed three children into a detention center last month for refusing to spend time with their own father, the oldest sibling, who is 14 years old, told the judge he witnessed his father, Omer Tsimhoni, abuse his mother, Maya.
That was the teen's basis for why he doesn't want anything to do with his father.
Gorcyca responded with, "Your father is well-liked and loved by the community, his coworkers, his family, his colleagues. You, young man, have got it wrong."
Gorcyca has also placed the teen's 10-year-old and 9-year-old siblings in Children's Village.
Beth Morrison is president and CEO of Haven. It's a non profit that helps victims of domestic violence and sexual abuse. She's concerned about the impact of the judge's sentence, specifically the impact on abuse victims.
"If I reach out for help, whether it's through the legal system or other systems, I fear that I am going to be blamed. I am going to lose my children," she said.
Omer Tsimhoni has never been charged with any abuse. A family friend denied any abuse ever occurred.
"Mr. Tsimhoni has great respect for the court and the legal system. He is a loving, caring father who desires a healthy relationship with his children," the statement reads.
Morrison said she does know the facts of this particular case, but she says victims of abuse need to trust their voices will be taken seriously.
"We want them to be heard and listened. We want them to feel that there is some support for them," she said.
A hearing is planned Friday in the case.
source
This is just horrifying.