I would ask that you take a few moments to review the details of one little Girl's plight. If you read nothing else,
please skip to the bottom in bold.
After two years of discussion, in July of 2008 Samantha Kemp, (a mature, articulate 13 year old Female) was finally told
she could move from Owego NY to live with her Father with full consent of her Mother. There were increasing challenges at
home between Mom and Daughter and her Father offered structure, guidance, and a nurturing home environment. (The Father is
a people manager in a Fortune 100 company with a flexible work at home schedule. It was a perfect fit.)
The Father took Samantha in, and she became very well adjusted in Rochester NY. She was enrolled in school, moved to advanced
classes and placed on the Honor Roll.
She made new friends, and was a happy child in a nurturing home.
Matters got complicated when the Father made a petition for an adjustment in Child support, and on the same week as the
appearance the Mother sought to forcefully remove the child from school with law enforcement officers.
The Officers spoke to the child who reiterated her burning desire to stay in Rochester, and the Mother was sent home.
The Mother sought to execute a 10 year old divorce decree which indicated Joint Custody, but primary residence being with
the Mother.
She sought a petition with the Honorable Judge Vincent Sgueglia which she used to forcefully remove the child on
the very same day as the Support hearing November 18th, 2008 without cause or justification.
Since, Samantha has been held against her will in Owego, her grades have deteriorated. Her relationship with her Mother
has grown ever more volatile and involved the police multiple times. Samantha has been struck repeatedly by her Mother who
noted "discipline". When the child called the Police, the Officers threatened to place Samantha in a "Mental Institution",
or "Juvenile Detention" if she did not stop disobeying her Mother.
Her house was placed in a "Police State" with padlocks on doors and access denied to the basics such as the Telephone..
The Father asked that Samantha "hold out" for the next Court Date when her case could be heard and she could hopefully
legally return home to wait out a full Custody Hearing.
She was assigned a Law Guardian, (Irene K. Graven Esq.) and Samantha was excited that someone in a position of
authority would actually listen to what she had to say.
The appearance on 12/10/08 with Hon. Judge Sgueglia was unique. Both Mother and Father were represented by Council.
The Law Guardian was asked for her opinion by the Court. She clearly stated she "felt that
Samantha should be returned to her Father pending a full Hearing as the situation with her Mother was sure to escalate". Neither parent was allowed to speak, and we were both asked to leave the courtroom immediately after opening
arguments by Council for a "conference". That was the last we were to see of the Courtroom.
For reasons unknown Judge Sgueglia decided the Child should remain in the home with the Mother pending the hearing. (Four
+ months for the next court date.) I can only assume the Court did not have all of the facts at the time.
The child was DEVASTATED and was sent for medical attention at school upon finding out.
This letter is being written the very following day. 12/11/08. This afternoon Samantha got into yet another physical altercation
with her Mother. The Police were called, as was an ambulance. Samantha had cut her hands in a physical disagreement with her
Mom and was taken to the Hospital for 10 stitches.
Immediately following, while the child was still sedated her Mother brought her to a Miss Jenny Green of the Tioga County
PINS Probation dept to be placed in the System.
Jenny refused to take the Daughters statement as she was clearly sedated, although when I called and asked her how I could
help she indicated that "the child had given up whatever rights she had by engaging in Criminal behavior" and would likely
be processed soon.
To be clear.... My Daughter is not a Criminal nor even a behavior problem. She is a scared little girl who wants to go
home to her school, her Family, and her Friends. Whenever there is access to a phone she calls crying that she "just wants
to come home".
She does not need medical attention, she does not need be placed in the "System" and she should not be forced to endure
physical abuse.
She is acting out because she has been taken against her will.
While she has repeatedly asked to address the Court directly, she has never been given the opportunity.
At a time when the Legal System should be standing up for this child, it seems to have fallen significantly short.
I fear for my child's physical, mental, and emotional well being, these fears are quickly becoming reality.
I was told there are no appeals.
I was told the only change typically allowed to an order is on an "Emergency" basis, if this doesn't qualify I'm not sure
what does.
I am asking the Court to please re-evaluate the facts at hand. Please re-confer with the Law Guardian.
I'd ask you let my child come home before any irreparable damage is done.
In time, all of the facts will come out in a full hearing and I trust the Court to make a fair and just decision.
I would thank those copied on this letter to do whatever is in their means to help get to what is right for this Child.
Please, help make a positive difference in one little Girl's Life, before it's to late
-John Kemp
Father
.cc Honorable Judge Vincent Sgueglia
Family Court Judge, 6th Judicial District
Tioga County Court
Village of Owego NY 13827
Congressman Robert Wexler
Representitive 19th District FL.
2241 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington DC 20515
NY Governor David A. Paterson
State Capitol
Albany NY 12224
Congressman Randy Kuhl
29th District of NY Representatives
220 Packets Landing
Fairport NY 14450
Congressman Michael Arcuri
24th Congressional District
327 Cannon H.O.B.
Washington DC 20515
Congressman Thomas Reynolds
26th District of NY Representatives
10 East Main St
Victor NY 14564
Senator Hillary R. Clinton
476 Rusell Senate Office Bldg.
Washington DC 20510
Senator Tom Libous
District Office
1607 State Office Building
44 Hawley St.
Binghamton NY 13901
Senator Charles E Schumer
100 State Street #304
Rochester NY 14614
Congressman Maurice Hinchy
22 District of NY Representatives
Washington Office
2431 Rayburn H.O.B.
Washington DC 20515
Thomas O'Mara
Assemblyman 137th District
Room 720 Legislative Office Building
Albany NY 12248
Senator Tom Libous
District Office
1607 State Office Building
44 Hawley St.
Binghamton NY 13901
NY Senator George H. Winner Jr.
Albany Office
Room 814
Legislative Office Building
Albany NY 12247
First Lady Paterson
State Capitol
Albany NY 12224
District Administrative Judge
Hon. Michael V Coccoma
6th Judicial District
44 Hawley St.
State Office Bldg.
Suite 1501
Binghamton NY 13901
District Executive
G Russell Wechsle
6th Judicial District
44 Hawley St.
State Office Bldg.
Suite 1501
Binghamton NY 13901
District Attorney
Honorable Gerald A Keene
20 Court St. PO Box 300
Owego NY 13827
Law Guardian Program Director
John E. Carter Jr.
Appellate Division Third
PO Box 7288
Capital Station
Albany NY 12224
Samantha Kemp's Law Guardian
Irene Graven
178 Main St.
Owego NY 13827
Asst. District Executive
Marcia DiRose
6th Judicial District
44 Hawley St.
State Office Bldg.
Suite 1501
Binghamton NY 13901
Asst. County Attorney
Christian J Root
JD&PINS Division
PO BOX 248
Owego NY 13827
Tioga County Probation Department
Director Halbert Brink
231 Main Street
Owego NY 13827
Tioga County Dept of Social Services
Commissionor Raymond P, Case
1062 State Rte. 38
PO Box 240
Owego NY 13827
Tioga County Sheriff Dept.
Sheriff Roger E. Besser
103 Corporate Drive
Owego NY 13827
Owego Police Dept.
Michael McCulskey
90 Temple Street
Owego NY 13827
Tioga County Courier
59 Church Street
Owego NY 13827
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