For Immediate Release:
Contact: Kathleen Russell
August 4, 2010
Cell: 415-250-1180

Outraged Parents Take Action Against Janelle Burrill

Criminal Complaints Against Custody Evaluator to be Filed at 10AM Thursday, Followed By 11:30AM Picket at Her Office

SACRAMENTO- A number of local parents who have lost custody of their children during local divorce proceedings are seeking an official criminal investigation of the professional that they claim is responsible. Multiple parents will file criminal complaints against custody evaluator Janelle Burrill this Thursday August 5th at 10am at the Sacramento Police Department (5770 Freeport Blvd) followed by an 11:30am picket at Burrill's 915 University Ave office.

The California State Auditor is currently investigating the Sacramento Family Court's use of court appointees such as Burrill in divorce proceedings. As we understand it, Janelle Burrill is also currently under investigation by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences because of multiple, longstanding complaints against her. We have also seen written confirmation that her board certification was revoked by the American Board of Examiners in Clinical Social Work this past Spring for failing to report an existing complaint against her.

Parents allege that Burrill has engaged in serious misconduct during the course of her investigations, which in one case reportedly led to the handcuffing, hospitalization and drugging of a gifted 14-year-old boy because he allegedly refused to visit with his mother.

Parents have also raised questions about the veracity of Ms. Burrill's primary psychological and legal credentials, given the unaccredited status of some of the educational institutions she reportedly graduated from, and her non-listing with the California State Bar Association. She is reportedly also unlicensed by the California Board of Psychology.

"If these claims are true, then the children of Sacramento deserve a proper investigation. Appointees like Burrill make life-altering recommendations to the courts, which are often routinely accepted by the courts. The welfare of children and the rights of parents to parent their children are often literally in the hands of appointees like Burrill. We are aware of reported negative allegations about Burrill that date back years. These parents deserve to have a formal investigation of their claims, to determine whether state laws have been broken and codes of professional ethics violated," said Kathleen Russell, the Executive Director of the Center for Judicial Excellence.

"If laws have been broken, then appropriate action must be taken," Russell said.

A growing frustration with family court appointees who violate state laws and codes of professional conduct around the country has led to recent arrests and lawsuits against court appointees, which is a relatively new occurrence for a once untouchable and politically powerful industry.

See links below for related stories on this subject:

Therapist's arrest may mean a review of cases http://www.timesunion.com/news/article/Therapist-s-arrest-may-mean-a-review -of-cases-556589.php

Custody Evaluator's Credentials Questioned In Lawsuit Dr. Stephen Doyne Has Been Involved In 3,000 To 4,000 San Diego Custody Cases http://www.10news.com/news/19985926/detail.html http://10newsblogs.com/iteam/?p=657

Teen sues county for placing her in custody of sex offender grandfather http://www.whas11.com/news/Teen-sues-county-for-placing-her-in-custody-of-sex-offender-grandfather-90358309.html

Questions surround methods, credentials of drug screener Family Court relies on Robert Bennett's findings to decide crucial issues of custody and divorce http://www.truthinjustice.org/drug-screener.htm

Mothers Interrupted These women entered mediation in family court thinking they would retain primary custody of their children. Mediator Janelle Burrill thought otherwise.http://www.newsreview.com/sacramento/content?oid=11355