by Cleveland, Ohio – The Supreme Court of Ohio has issued sanctions against Geauga County Probate-Juvenile Court Judge Timothy Grendell after he ordered two teenage boys to a youth detention facility in an effort to force them to visit their father.
The 88-page opinion outlines multiple ethical violations, resulting in an 18-month suspension, with 12 months stayed, immediately removing Grendell from the bench without pay.
Background of the Case
The controversy stems from a highly contentious child custody dispute between Stacy Hartman and Grant Glasier. The couple, who divorced in 2010, share three children. Hartman had primary custody, while Glasier was granted visitation rights. Over time, the children, particularly the two teenage boys, became resistant to seeing their father, with court-ordered evaluations describing them as “seriously alienated.”
A court-appointed psychologist noted the boys’ perception of their father as an abusive alcoholic was largely influenced by Hartman and her partner, and recommended a gradual reunification process. Despite efforts, the children refused to participate in therapeutic visitation programs for over a year.
Grendell’s Involvement
In August 2019, Grendell took over the case. The daughter was nearly 18, so the judge focused on the two teenage boys. After months of failed attempts to enforce therapeutic visitation, Grendell deemed the interventions a “lost cause” and decided to impose a more forceful measure.
During a May 2020 hearing, it was revealed Glasier had not seen his children in over three and a half years. Frustrated by the continued refusal, Grendell ordered the boys to alternate weekends with their father, with transfers to occur at the county sheriff’s office under a constable’s supervision.
Controversial Detention
The boys resisted the arrangement, prompting a series of calls between Grendell, the constable, and the mother. The judge ultimately approved a three-day juvenile detention stay for the teens after threats of detention were insufficient to coerce compliance. The boys were held with no parental communication, though their priest was permitted to visit.
An appeals court later stayed the order, returning jurisdiction to domestic relations court. The saga also included a dispute over a fundraising campaign intended to cover the family’s legal fees.
Ethical Violations
The Supreme Court of Ohio found that Grendell violated three judicial conduct rules:
- A judge must faithfully perform duties
- A judge must remain objective and impartial
- A judge must maintain public confidence in the judiciary
The court highlighted that Grendell directed the constable to draft charges against the boys, creating “trumped-up” allegations to justify detention. The opinion stated:
“Judge Grendell used the threat of detention—and when that failed, actual detention—in an attempt to coerce the boys to attend visitation with their father. … The means that he employed to accomplish that end evince both a conscious disregard for the law and a failure to impartially perform his duties.”
Consequences
Grendell’s suspension is effective immediately, and he must avoid misconduct during the stayed portion of his punishment. If further ethical violations occur, he will serve the full 18-month suspension.
The Supreme Court noted that while Grendell may have acted with good intentions, his actions compromised objectivity and undermined public trust in the judicial system. The detention of two teenage boys for refusing visitation was deemed “improper” and not consistent with best practices in juvenile justice.
Public Reaction
The case has sparked discussions about judicial authority, children’s rights, and the limits of enforcement in visitation disputes. Legal analysts suggest this decision serves as a warning to judges to maintain objectivity and adhere to ethical guidelines, especially in emotionally charged family law cases.
What do you think about Judge Grendell’s actions? Should there be stricter oversight for family court judges in cases involving children? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
