Here’s an interesting case out of Canada:

CTV, Canada’s largest private broadcaster, has reported that a man with ties to a white supremacist group has lost custody of his two children.

Child & Family Services was alerted in March 2008 when the man’s stepdaughter came to school with white supremacist markings drawn on her body.

The father petitioned to get custody of his young son and stepdaughter, but his application was dismissed. The judge presiding over the case decided the two children will become permanent wards of Child & Family Services.  

The judge said her ruling was based on what is in the best interest of the children, rather than protecting the father’s freedom of expression.  It was clear the girl was starting to hold the same views as her stepfather after a social worker testified that the girl said black people need to die. The judge felt the children have the right to be protected from the promotion of hatred against specific groups of people. 

In making her ruling, the judge also took into account the father’s history of violence and drug and alcohol abuse.

The judge’s ruling isn’t permanent, and the man can re-apply for custody in a year’s time. But now the children’s mother, who it appears abandoned the children, said she wants to petition the court for custody.

The girl’s biological father is glad the judge took custody away from the stepfather, saying he had no grounds to pursue custody of his daughter. It was not mentioned whether or not the biological father plans to seek custody.

If you are involved in a  child custody dispute and need the assistance of a trained and experienced Jacksonville child custody lawyer, please feel free to  contact Ellerin Hutchinson today to schedule a consultation to discuss your case!