Mother's Minor Children Segregated By Race; Non-Parents Spend $211,000.00 in Illinois Court to Keep It That Way
NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Amy Joan Schneider
February 21, 2005 309-452-7466
DECATUR ILLINOIS ATTORNEYS PAID OVER $211,000.00
TO KEEP MOTHER’S CHILDREN WITH NON-PARENTS
HOW MUCH ARE YOUR KIDS WORTH?
According to an affidavit filed with the Court on Friday, 02/18/05, two Decatur Illinois law firms have been paid over $211,000.00 in a bitter guardianship dispute between a mother and her sister.
“If you take somebody’s children you should expect a fight,” says Schneider, a 38 year-old mother of five who lives in Normal Illinois 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 3rd @ 1:30pm. On February 7th 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.
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