KANSAS CITY, Mo. - A biological father's long and bitter legal fight to raise his child is far from over.
The NBC Action News Investigators have been the only Kansas City news organization to report on Craig Lentz and his legal battle to gain custody and raise his biological son.
Despite Missouri’s Supreme Court and Court of Appeals both ruling in his favor, a Jackson County family court continues to insist it is in the child’s best interest to remain with foster parents who are the only family he has known.
Now, in its latest ruling, that same family court is no closer to awarding Lentz custody of the child.
Findings and Recommendations
Craig Lentz has fought for custody of his biological son since 2005.
The latest development comes from the Family Court Division of Jackson County.
The findings and recommendations by the court blast Lentz, calling him ambivalent, adversarial and lacking empathy for his child.
“The family court is issuing decrees like a king would do,” said Lentz in reaction to this development.
The family court recommends the child, now 5, remain with the foster parents who are the only family he has known.
The court ruled Lentz may have “reasonable visitation”, and that Lentz should pay $641 a month in child support.
History of the case
Two months later, in February 2005, the child's biological mother terminated her parental rights and gave the boy to another couple.
At first, Lentz questioned his paternity. By the time he stepped forward to claim his parental rights, it was too late.
A little-known Missouri law gives the biological father just 15 days to place his name on the child's birth certificate or risk losing parental rights.
Lentz got his name on the little boy's birth certificate almost three months after birth.
In its latest findings, the family court states “it is extremely important to note the timing of (his) the respondent’s involvement. It did not occur until (the mother) wanted to withdraw her consent".
Lentz denies this, saying, “I was paying for all my child's expenses. I was checking on my child three times a day. The mother of the child has attested this for years and years.”
The judgment even calls into question the mother's mental well being, saying she has “appeared unbalanced" and even "borders on delusional", referring to comments she has posted online.
What Happens Next
Craig Lentz has fought for custody of his biological son since 2005.
The most recent Jackson County Family Court ruling allows them to continue raising the child, legally entitling them to “direct all medical and educational decisions.”
Lentz is allowed visitation two weekends a month; one weekend in Kansas City and the other in Texas.
Lentz is able to write to his son but those letters must be sent through a therapist.
For more on this story, seeKANSAS CITY, Mo. - A biological father's long and bitter legal fight to raise his child is far from over.
The NBC Action News Investigators have been the only Kansas City news organization to report on Craig Lentz and his legal battle to gain custody and raise his biological son.
Despite Missouri’s Supreme Court and Court of Appeals both ruling in his favor, a Jackson County family court continues to insist it is in the child’s best interest to remain with foster parents who are the only family he has known.
Now, in its latest ruling, that same family court is no closer to awarding Lentz custody of the child.
Findings and Recommendations
Craig Lentz has fought for custody of his biological son since 2005.
The latest development comes from the Family Court Division of Jackson County.
The findings and recommendations by the court blast Lentz, calling him ambivalent, adversarial and lacking empathy for his child.
“The family court is issuing decrees like a king would do,” said Lentz in reaction to this development.
The family court recommends the child, now 5, remain with the foster parents who are the only family he has known.
The court ruled Lentz may have “reasonable visitation”, and that Lentz should pay $641 a month in child support.
History of the case
Two months later, in February 2005, the child's biological mother terminated her parental rights and gave the boy to another couple.
At first, Lentz questioned his paternity. By the time he stepped forward to claim his parental rights, it was too late.
A little-known Missouri law gives the biological father just 15 days to place his name on the child's birth certificate or risk losing parental rights.
Lentz got his name on the little boy's birth certificate almost three months after birth.
In its latest findings, the family court states “it is extremely important to note the timing of (his) the respondent’s involvement. It did not occur until (the mother) wanted to withdraw her consent".
Lentz denies this, saying, “I was paying for all my child's expenses. I was checking on my child three times a day. The mother of the child has attested this for years and years.”
The judgment even calls into question the mother's mental well being, saying she has “appeared unbalanced" and even "borders on delusional", referring to comments she has posted online.
What Happens Next
Craig Lentz has fought for custody of his biological son since 2005.
The most recent Jackson County Family Court ruling allows them to continue raising the child, legally entitling them to “direct all medical and educational decisions.”
Lentz is allowed visitation two weekends a month; one weekend in Kansas City and the other in Texas.
Lentz is able to write to his son but those letters must be sent through a therapist.
For more, see Friends of Noah Bond.
6 comments:
Another case of a low level crappy court allowing disgusting people with a dillusional right of entitlement to abuse the system and gaurdianship laws. The couple trying to adopt this boy should be in prison under kidnapping charges. On a side note, I hope you people wrot. It's all you deserve
I am going thru the same ordeal except the mother was on drugs and step father abusing the children. Also under the same judge of this case. Judge Molly Merigan. The only best interest the court sees is $$$$$$$$$$$$$$. The mother has constantly deprived me of court ordered custody equally shared and children where given to foster care. Not the law biding Dad (*father) There is a strong gender bias CPS DFS that men should be entitled to thier children.
How in the world does Judge Molly Merigan and the court case workers have power above the supreme court ? Like they are above the law And the court case workers feminist croonies to strip children from thier natural fathers and mothers and sold to foster care at the expense of the natural fathers taking 30% to 50% and more of thier take home pay and to suffer from their children stolen by this court? I havent seen one man case worker or judge in that court!
The commissioner Molly Merrigan and her croonies Social workers and GAL is one of the most corrupt Commisioners I have ever faced. Watch out for their reunification tricks they use to prolong a case. This court is also drugging foster children of minor focus issues legally.
Molly Merrigan is a ex-prosecutor in a family court. THEIR JOB IS TO PROSECUTE PEOPLE. How in the hell is she's in a family court?
THIS commissioner took my Nephew from me today in court because she was mad at my brother,and she talked to me like an animal,SHE NEEDS TO BE REMOVED,i am going to call all of the news channels and let them know how sick the foster care system is.The caseworker through me under the bus also
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