This Soldier Served Our Country. Now He Needs Your Support

 By Eric Ross, PhD, Acting President of NCFM Greater NY Chapter, Investigative Reporter, National Writers’ Syndicate.


In 2011 Sgt. Casey Gray was called to Active Duty in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Unfortunately, he was already in the midst of a “battle” − his child custody case in Oakland County, Pontiac, Michigan. In February 2011, the Hon. Elizabeth Pezzetti, presiding over his case, said in court that she would never give custody to the father because he was a soldier in the US Army.

While deployed, Sergeant Gray was severly injured and evacuated to Brooke Army Medical Center (BAMC) in San Antonio, Texas. He suffered a traumatic brain injury, 6 skull fractures, fractured numerous, bilateral bony hamstring avulsions and many other injuries. Mrs. Zehel, the mother of his two daughters, was flown to BAMC with the children, so the kids could visit with their father. While in the Army Medical Center, Mrs Zehel assaulted the severely injured soldier; she was asked to leave the facility and was transported back to Michigan.

Judge Elizabeth Pezzetti

Subsequently, Judge Elizabeth Pezzetti was presented with evidence of the assault, a suicide attempt by Mrs. Zehel, and her use of anti-depressant  medication. Sergeant Gray begged the court, for his children’s sake, to have custody of them, to provide medical and psychological assistance to Mrs. Zehel.

Sergeant Gray is a combat veteran who has fought to protect the US since 1999.  Not only did Family Court Judge Pezzetti violated his due process rights, she is punishing a good father for fighting to be with his daughters. Judge Pezetti rejected the expert testimony by the Army’s psychologists – through  abuse of her discretion and in violation of the Constitutional rights of children and parents, the loving father is not even afforded the right to visit his daughters.

Furthermore, Judge Pezzetti’s Child Support order virtually condemns Sgt. Gray to slow death by starvation: She ordered nearly $1600 a month in Child support for his two daughters, in addition to him already paying  $800 a month for his six year old son. Coming out of his meager $2800 paycheck, this leaves him $400/month to support himself, while paying $2400. “Honorable” Pezzetti also authorized a debt judgment against him of over $9,000 in back child support.

This father served our country. Show Your Support for the Soldier.  Sign his Petition: 

http://www.change.org/petitions/the-governor-of-mi-support-sgt-gray-with-his-battle-for-his-daughters
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NOTES


NCFM supports  H. R. 4201 Servicemembers Civil Relief Act to provide for the protection of child custody arrangements for parents who are members of the Armed Forces. The bill is sponsored by Congressman Michael Turner (R-Ohio).


NCFM supports the Parental Rights Amendment to the United States Constitution, which will allow parents to direct the upbringing of their children, protected from federal interference and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. The Parental Rights Amendment was first proposed during the 110th Congress as House Joint Resolution 97 in July 2008, but no action was taken. In the current 112th Congress (2011-2012) the Parental Rights Amendment was proposed by Rep. John Flemming  (R-LA) on January 3, 2011, as H.J. Res. 3. In late may 2012 it had 17 cosponsors. It was assigned to the Constitution subcommittee of the House Judiciary Committee. Rep. Trent Franks, chairman of the subcommittee, was a proponent of this Amendment in the last Congress.

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