How can a parent helplessly watch their child be chastised by anyone?
Andre Haynes, host of the EMG Radio Show and officer of Veterans In Politics said the following:
When I watched the video of the minor child having a discussion on the record with Family Court Judge Rena Hughes without a parent or child advocate being present, I was shocked and in disagreement. After I saw the manner that Judge Hughes handled the minor child and the child's fearful and distraught emotional reaction, I was angry. I was angry because I pictured my 7 year old son in the same seat as the minor girl, without me, without his mom, without a child advocate and without an attorney. Minor children are often terrified to speak to adults, especially without their parent or someone familiar present and especially if the adult is perceived to be an authority figure.
Does the law allow for Judge Hughes to interview and interrogate a minor child without their parent or an attorney or child advocate present? If the law does allow this are there exceptions to this rule? Is there another way that Judge Hughes could have handled this manner? Those are questions that replay in my mind. My heart goes out to the minor child and especially to her mother. The worst feeling that a parent can experience is being helpless to defend their vulnerable child. If it were my 7 year old son in that video, helpless, distraught and angry is exactly how I would feel. Does the law and a Judge's behavior take precedence or hold more value than the emotions and perceived fear of a child or a parent's ability to protect their child?
