From: David Nowak

Subject: A Must Read

Unprecedented court ruling in Cleveland, Ohio
Cleveland, OH (AP) -

A seven-year-old boy was at thecenter of a Cleveland
courtroom drama yesterday when hechallenged a court
ruling over who should have custodyof him.
The boy has a history of being beaten by his
parents and the judge initially awarded custody to his
aunt, in keeping with child custody law and regulations
requiring that family unity be maintained to the degree
possible

The boy surprised the court when he proclaimed that his
aunt beat him more than his parents and he adamantly
refused to live with her. When the judge then suggested
that he live with his grandparents, the boy cried out
that they also beat him.

After considering the remainder of the immediate family
and learning that domestic violence was apparently a way
of life among them, the judge took the unprecedented
step of allowing the boy to propose who should have
custody of him.

After two recesses to check legal
references and confer with child welfare officials, the
judge granted temporary custody to the Cleveland Browns,
whom the boy firmly believes is not capable of beating
anyone.