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Statement by Attorney Elizabeth Gorman (July 7)

Statement by Attorney Elizabeth Gorman (July 7)

For most people, it is difficult to imagine anything more painful to a father than having his child offered up for adoption in a distant state without his knowledge or consent. That is exactly what happened in this case.

Statement by Attorney Elizabeth Gorman (July 7)

The following statement can be attributed to Elizabeth Gorman, attorney for Benjamin Mills. Ms. Gorman is an attorney with Legal Aid of Western Ohio, Inc. in Dayton, Ohio.

For most people, it is difficult to imagine anything more painful to a father than having his child offered up for adoption in a distant state without his knowledge or consent. That is exactly what happened in this case.

Mr. Mills is not a latecomer in the life of his daughter. He has worked from the day she was born to protect his parental relationship with her. Mr. Mills and his other daughter visited his then newborn daughter in the hospital, and he has traveled to see her in California on several occasions. Even before his baby was removed to California, Mr. Mills filed a complaint in Ohio seeking custody of her and a complaint to determine his paternity, and he registered with the Ohio Putative Father Registry, a government list which allows biological fathers to give legal notice that they claim paternity for a child born outside of marriage. A key purpose of the registry is to prevent children from being adopted without the father’s knowledge or consent.

Three different judges, including two California judges, have recognized that this matter needs to be resolved by the courts in Ohio.

Mr. Mills is doing everything necessary to work within the legal system to protect his and his family's relationship with his daughter.  The court and the Montgomery County Children Services Board will ensure the child is protected and properly cared for in Ohio. He looks forward to introducing his daughter to her two full siblings currently living in Ohio.

Mr. Mills trusts the court will continue to issue appropriate orders to protect his daughter. Mr. Mills and Legal Aid of Western Ohio, Inc. remain focused on the law and not on the publicity generated by Stacey Doss. 

RELATED ARTICLES:

>> Statement by Attorney Elizabeth Gorman (July 23)
>> Statement by Attorney Elizabeth Gorman (July 14)
>> Statement by Attorney Elizabeth Gorman (July 2)

Please direct any additional questions to:

Patricia J. Robb, APR
Marketing Communications Director
Legal Aid of Western Ohio, Inc. (LAWO)
Center for Equal Justice
419-930-2517 (work)
419-350-6017 (cell)
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