Sanilac County Judge Gregory Ross could decide Tuesday how to resolve a parental rights case that has gotten national attention.
- Rapist at center of custody controversy was sentenced to 6 1/2 months
- Michigan attorney for victim in rape custody case says judge 'blindsided'
- How could a convicted rapist be awarded joint custody of his victim's child?
- Michigan judge issues stay on ruling giving joint custody to convicted rapist
- Convicted rapist awarded joint custody of child born after assault
Last month the Judge signed a Consent Judgment that granted a twice-convicted rapist, Christopher Mirasolo Joint Legal Custody and parenting time with a now 8-year-old boy who was born from the first of the rapes.
The Judge then stayed that order until he could learn more about the case.
Tiffany—we are only using her first name—was raped when she was only 12 years old in 2008 and her son born in June of 2009. Tiffany tells 7 Investigator Jim Kiertzner, “I had to deal with kids making fun of me because he wasn’t convicted of rape. You wanted it.”
She has applied for state assistance and that started a child support case. But, she never signed consent papers for Mirasolo to have any parental rights or parenting time.
Her attorney, Rebecca Kiessling and the state Court Administrator’s Office blame Sanilac County Prosecutor James Young for failing to inform the judge. The Prosecutor has not replied to several calls from Action News for comment.
Tiffany’s attorney, Kiessling tells 7 Investigator Kiertzner she talked recently with Assistant Prosecutor Eric Scott. “I haven’t heard any apology from the prosecutor. Not only was Tiffany raped by Christopher but she was absolutely raped of her rights by the prosecutor.”
Mirasolo served only 6 ½ months in the county jail as a result of a plea deal and raped another 14-year-old girl in 2010. Her first name is Jenna. She and her mother, Elaine tell 7 Action News they were only told that Mirasolo has been arrested for another sexual assault, not that he had raped a 12-year-old girl.
Elaine tells 7 Investigator Jim Kiertzner she blames the Prosecutor, “It’s disgusting. And I wish maybe back then, we would have dug into it a little more. He’s still in office. Hopefully with all the publicity it’s getting he won’t be for long. Do the right thing, stand up and resign his position.”
Jenna says, “The Prosecutor scared me out of a trial.”
Mirasolo took a plea deal in the second case and did prison time until he was released on parole in 2016.
A rally for rape victims and justice is set at noon Tuesday in front of the Sanilac County Courthouse before the court hearing at 1:30.