Judge Who Cuffed Kids for Missing Lunch with Dad Disqualifies Herself

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BLOOMFIELD HILLS, MI – The judge who faces discipline for ordering three Bloomfield Hills children handcuffed and sent to a detention center for refusing to have lunch with their estranged father has disqualified herself from the case.

Oakland County Circuit Court Judge Lisa Gorcyca said in a four-page opinion Monday that although she is not biased against either party in a long running, internationally sensational custody dispute, continuing to oversee it “may create an appearance of impropriety,” The Detroit News reports.

The Judicial Tenure Commission took issue with Gorcyca’s conduct during the proceedings, including her comparison of the oldest of the three children to cult leader Charlie Manson, and said she “laughed at the children and was sarcastic.”

At one point, the judge circled her index finger around her temple, indicating that she thought the boy was crazy, the commission found.

The complaint said Gorcyca “failed to act in a patient, dignified and courteous manner” and made “significant misrepresentations of law and fact,” including statements to the children, who were 14, 11 and 9 at the time, that their case wouldn’t be reviewed until they turned 18.

Catch Up

• Judge Sends Kids to Detention for Refusing Lunch with Dad
• New Twist in Case of Kids Sent to Juvie for Refusing Lunch with Dad
• Dad Seeks Custody of Kids Sent to Detention for Refusing Lunch with Him
• New Attorneys Defend Mom Whose Kids Refused Lunch with Dad
• Kids Who Refused Lunch with Dad Now Living With Him
• Judge in Bitter Custody Dispute Could Recuse Herself
• More Twists Bloomfield Hills Custody Case
• Chief Judge Steps Out of Bitter Child Custody Case
• New Judge Finds No Bias in Bitter Custody Dispute
• Judge Who Cuffed Kids For Missing Lunch With Dad Faces Discipline