Video: Judge jails teen for refusing to visit father.
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Judge jails teen for refusing to visit father....
Judge jails teen for refusing to visit father.Published: November 21, 2009
A Michigan teen has been sentenced to four days in juvenile detention for refusing to visit his father.
Jacob Mastrogiovanni, 14, lives with his mother in Warren.
His father, who has joint custody, lives in New Baltimore.
Mastrogiovanni said he has deliberately missed court ordered visitations with his father, and because of that, Macomb County Judge John Foster has ruled he should be held in contempt of court and sentenced to time in a youth home.
Mastrogiovanni’s mother, Dawn Platevoet, said her son is a hard working student and that she fears for his safety inside the Macomb Juvenile Center.
“I’m very worried. I’m very concerned for the well-being of my son,“ Platevoet said. “The child is being torn in between this kind of situation due to the friend of the court. They’re not looking at the best interest for my son.“
Mastrogiovanni said staying at the youth home for four days would not change his attitude toward his father.
“I guess he’s going to have to be punished. I don’t necessarily like that he’s in there but something has to be done,“ Mastrogiovanni’s father, Victor, said by phone Thursday.
Mastrogiovanni would not be specific with why he was refusing to spend time with his father.
His reasonings were recorded in a confidentiality agreement being held by the court.
Mastrogiovanni said he would rather be in a youth home than visit his father and that he’s willing to go back to the youth home again if required by the court.
Mastrogiovanni’s family and friends have made signs protesting the judge’s decision.
“Going to a youth home to be with criminals, for what reason? What is this going to solve? Is it going to benefit the child? Is it going to make matters worse?“ Platevoet said.
Mastrogiovanni’s mother and grandmother escorted him to the center Thursday evening.
He is scheduled to be released Sunday.
Platevoet said she plans to picket the court Friday
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Reader Reactions
Have the judges in this country gone insane. Did the judge ever wonder why in the world this kid would rather go to jail and stay there instead of visiting his father? No he did not. He can do and say what he wants, but if something happens to this kid because the judge would not listen then sue the crap out of him. You should always listen to a child no matter the age. Something is really wrong with this kids dad or he would go over there. Why don’t you do what you use to and investigate this, find out what the problem is instead of putting this kid behind bars like some criminal. This boy has done nothing wrong, and I do not blame him. He has a reason for not going. I support this kid and his mom. The judge in this case however needs to be made to step down and retire. It is clear that he has no idea what he is doing.
what a rediculous judgement!!!
They need to find out the real reason he doesn’t want to be with his father and would rather stay in jail, and they need to listen to this child. I am really worried for him.
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