MI - Lawsuit against judge over child's removal can go forward

WXYZ

DETROIT (WXYZ) - A federal judge has ruled that a couple's lawsuit against a Wayne County judge can go forward.

They accuse family court Judge Judy Hartsfield of improperly having their son removed from their custody, relying on pre-signed child-removal orders filled out by a clerk.

"It was an unbelievable nightmare. Far worse than the death of my first child," said mother Claire Zimmeran.

Her husband, a professor at the University of Michigan, mistakenly gave their then 7-year old son Mike's Hard Lemonade, which contains alcohol, at a Detroit Tigers game.  A security guard complained, and the boy ended up in foster care for three days and was then turned over to his mother.

"I felt totally helpless, I felt desperate," Zimmerman said.

Full story: WXYZ