By Matt for the TIB Network:
Here is the latest press release (US Newswire) from Amy Joan Schneider regarding her fight to regain custody of her white children:According to an affidavit filed with the Court on Friday, Feb. 18, two Decatur, Ill. law firms have been paid over $211,000.00 in a bitter guardianship dispute between a mother and her sister.Having been following this story for some time now, I can honestly say this is big news. An expenditure of over $200,000 for this fight by one party is astounding. Ms. Schnedier won't be able to compete with that...and hasn't been able to...so it isn't a surprise to me that she hasn't been getting a fair shake with this court.
"If you take somebody's children you should expect a fight," says Amy Joan Schneider, a 38-year-old mother of five who lives in Normal, Ill. with three of her five children. Schneider has been in court trying to regain possession of her two oldest children, Kaela Elizabeth Sliney-Schneider and Joshua Matthew Sliney-Schneider, both Caucasian. Schneider's three other children are Black.
Dan and Karen Coates are Schneider's brother-in-law and sister. Schneider says her two children are in the San Angelo, Texas home of the Coates' under what has thus far been an impenetrable Illinois court order issued by Probate Judge Albert G. Webber IV. Schneider, who is representing herself, has had little success in appeals to the Illinois Fourth District Appellate Court and Illinois Supreme Court.
Benito DiTerlizzi, former guardian in the case, says that over $211,000.00 has been spent on legal fees. A sworn affidavit signed by DiTerlizzi states the money (spent on attorneys representing him and six other parties) was taken from a trust fund set up in the minor children's names.
"They stole this woman's children, and now they're stealing the children's money," said Linda Weston of Illinois Parents Fighting for Parental Rights. "I've heard of parents spending that much money to get their children, but I've never heard of someone spending that much money to keep a mother away from her children."
According to court files a hearing is set for March 3 at 1:30 p.m. On Feb. 7 Coates' attorney Kurt Bickes filed "Direct Criminal Contempt" charges against Schneider. Coates' are asking the Court to "Impose a fine upon (Schneider) in a sum no less than $25,000.00 and Incarcerate Schneider for a period of no less than six (6) months."
"Paying politicians is nothing new -- but this is ridiculous," Schneider said. "Over $211,000.00 just given to lawyers -- what a waste. Records show the Coates' have paid and directed both law firms with this money," said Schneider. "If they really care let them spend their own money, and give the kids their money back."
I will say this though, lawyers aren't politicians. If some of that money found its way in to the hands of Judge Webber, then there is a real story. On the other hand, lawyers are very influential in the political process. And as I noted previously, the forces arrayed against Ms. Schneider appear to have some political influence. And money appears to be no object.
Is justice being served in Decatur, IL? I don't think so...
Previously on WMD
Amy Schneider's Fight for her children.Schneider follow up story.
Schneider Update.
