Woman who alienated son from ex-husband loses custody over boy’s care
A woman has lost a fight over the care of her 12-year-old son after a High Court judge concluded that she had alienated the youngster from his father.
The boy, who has been at the centre of a family court battle between his separated parents for most of his life, was living with his mother.
But Mr Justice Keehan has decided that the boy must now move to live with his father.
The judge said the woman has “alienated” the boy from her ex-husband and that the child is suffering “emotional and social harm” because of his father’s “absence”.
Mr Justice Keehan outlined detail of the case in a ruling published online after analysing evidence at a recent private hearing in the Family Division of the High Court in London.
The judge said the boy could not be identified in media reports of the case.
He said the man lives in the south of England and the woman in the Midlands.
Mr Justice Keehan said he had reached a number of “clear conclusions” after weighing evidence from the man and woman.
“The mother has alienated (the boy) from this father,” said the judge.
“She does not support the father having a role in (the boy’s) life.
“The absence of the father from (the boy’s) life has, is and will cause (the boy) emotional and social harm.”
The judge added: “If (the boy) remained in his mother’s care, the prospects of (him) having a meaningful relationship with his father are, at best, poor; and the only means by which (he) can enjoy a relationship with both of his parents is to transfer residence to the father. Nothing else will do in the welfare best interests of (the boy).”
Copyright (c) PA Media Ltd. 2019, All Rights Reserved. Picture (c) Kate Collins / PA Wire.
