Mom Ignores Judge's Direct Order — Shows Up in Court with Kids or Goes to Jail #courtroom

Added: 2026-05-26

[00:00:00]All right, guys. Listen up. What you're about to witness is a real courtroom meltdown. A custody war fought over Zoom. You're not allowing me to say what >> this court is ordering that you appear with the children at 3:00 this afternoon. Ms. Rodriguez, you be here Tuesday with the children.

[00:00:15]>> I'm not doing that. They're not doing that. They're not Mr. Rodriguez, if you don't appear at 3:00 this afternoon, then this court will issue a bench warrant for your arrest, Mr. Weinberg.

[00:00:24]If you don't appear at 3:00, the children do appear. The record in this matter is before the court on the plaintiff's motion to modify custody and or parenting time as well as a motion for order to show cause. This hearing is being conducted via Zoom. The present is the plaintiff father, Michael Rodriguez.

[00:00:39]In addition, attorney Steven Weinberg is present representing defendant mother, Chelsea Rodriguez. Ms. Rodriguez is present. Good morning, everyone. Good morning, Judge. The parties have conferred at length with Ms. Brown from the front of the court this morning.

[00:00:51]Who has provided the court with final recommendation that both parties must submit proof to the front of the court and the court that the small program and the high conflict solutions workshop have been completed within 7 days. The children shall attend Monroe public schools as previously ordered. Mother shall ensure the children attend Monroe public schools no later than tomorrow, September 5, 2024.

[00:01:11]Mother shall not leave the children unattended for any period of time during her parenting time. And finally, that show cause be dismissed. That's recommendation. Mr. Rodriguez, do you understand the recommendation this morning?

[00:01:22]Yes, sir.

[00:01:24]Do you have any objection to the court adopting the recommendation? No, the only thing I ask is for the like the drop off time is if she can come pick up her children when it's her time because I've had my girlfriend go out there and she's failed to even show up to where it was for over an hour and then doesn't answer anyone's calls when it's time to pick up my children. That's the main reason why cuz I she keeps keeping them against me or just leaving them alone.

[00:01:49]>> none of this was brought up. None of this was brought up in front of the court.

[00:01:52]>> made I just filed a complaint, Steven.

[00:01:55]Yes, it was brought up. It was not brought up. Not in this court.

[00:01:59]>> well, it's in the it's in the court, so uh the complaint I just filed shows all that.

[00:02:03]>> up for today. That's not relevant for today, Mr. Rodriguez.

[00:02:07]>> the police number and everything if you guys need it. If there was an issue with exchanges, we'll address that this morning. That's fine. Yeah, that's what I'm trying to address.

[00:02:16]So, if there's an issue regarding exchanges and the time exchanges, we'll address that this morning. Okay, hold on, Mr. Rohnberg. Hold on. Ms. Brower, I'm going to go through this thick file here. What uh Is there any any any time where the parties meet right now for exchanges and or where they meet? Probation meet there law enforcement agency at a certain time. Your Honor, I believe that they meet it's in a recent order. Just a moment.

[00:02:41]>> It's at the police it's at the Canton Police Station at like 6:00.

[00:02:45]>> Mr. Rodriguez, what do you propose that the meet for the exchanges? And I'll ask Mr. Rohnberg what he proposes. Um well, I'm just asking. She says she has off like an hour throughout the day here and there. So, within her hour on my time, if it's possible she could bring them to me during the day and then my girlfriend watches them like it's been previously stated throughout the day until I get off of work, but she >> I'm not going to let you up to you.

[00:03:11]Please do not interrupt. I'm otherwise going to mute you. Please. But yeah, so the last time I was supposed to pick up my children, it was probably about 2 weeks ago. My girlfriend went to pick them up at the Canton Police Station at around 6:00 like we're supposed to and Chelsea was just nowhere to be found. I texted, called, no answer and probably till a couple days ago she finally answered me. I just haven't got a chance to even get a hold of my daughter. I don't know how my kids are doing.

[00:03:37]Um yeah, I'm just confused on what's going on right now. But if she can meet me if she can come this week for her children when it's time to pick up, I'll drop them off to her. That's fine when it's her time. But she can pick them up when it's her time. But I'm not >> And you can talk just Rodriguez >> these simple things?

[00:03:54]No, I can't, unfortunately. He won't answer me. Your honor, if I may.

[00:03:59]Chelsea, oh oh sorry. I I thought it was Chelsea Brower. Referee Hamrick on August 14th recommended that the parties exercise all parenting time exchanges at the Flat Rock Police Department. That 20 would 21-day objection period ends this Friday. Neither party has filed an objection to that as of today. All right, so I got a follow up question.

[00:04:18]I'm sure that was in August.

[00:04:20]August 12th. Recommended order? August 14th. It's a recommendation at this point. I don't believe the court has it in its file. Yes, that's in the court's file. And that that provided the parties meet at where the Flat Rock Police Department?

[00:04:32]>> The Flat Rock, yes. And what time? Does it have specific times? It does not.

[00:04:37]Okay. The parties would follow the previous court order for parenting time.

[00:04:41]I believe that gives father alternating weekends Thursday at 6:00 to Monday to school or 9:00 a.m. Okay.

[00:04:48]Your honor, if I may. The uh friend of the court also did an investigation and recommendation as far as parenting time.

[00:04:56]Um neither party has motioned the court to adopt it, but the friend of the court's recommendation is to give mother alternating weekends Friday at 6:00 to Sunday at 6:00, and that the children remain in Monroe Public Schools. And judge, we would object to part of that recommendation and we'll ex- and I'll explain why.

[00:05:12]What is the time for the objection, Mr. Rohlberg?

[00:05:14]I mean, the friend of the court to referee recommend order, that's that will take effect if there's not a written objection filed within 14 within 21 days. Right, we're mixing Okay, I think what we're doing is we're mixing recommendations and orders a little bit that there's multiple ones out here. But hold on, the judge isn't buying it.

[00:05:32]He points out Chelsea never filed a petition to change the school district.

[00:05:36]She just unilaterally enrolled her children in Canton.

[00:05:39]This morning Ms. Brower recommended or is about to recommend that the children remain in the Monroe Public Schools, and the parenting time remains as follows.

[00:05:49]MCL 722.31 is the 100-mile rule.

[00:05:54]And that allows a parent to move within 100 miles without the court's permission. His uh Ms. Rodriguez moved to Clin- to Can- to to Canton, which is about 40 minutes away by car uh city center to city center from Monroe, to get a better job, which is in the best interests of the children. If she was to keep the children in Monroe public schools, that would force her to drive back and forth to Monroe four times or or do two round trips a day during the school year. The kids would be in the car for at least an hour and a half a day more than they otherwise would be. They would not have be able to participate in extracurriculars near where they live during the school week, and it would interfere with their ability to make friends with their new schoolmates in their new neighborhood.

[00:06:40]Now, Ms. Rodriguez probably should have asked for the court's permission to change that order to change where these children are enrolled.

[00:06:47]But there's no real difference between that I know of between Canton public schools and Monroe public schools.

[00:06:53]And I think it would be in the best interest of everybody, wear and tear on the car, reducing the amount of travel time, reducing the amount of driving, because these children I think go to different might go to different schools.

[00:07:03]I'm not sure if they all go to the same one or not.

[00:07:06]But as a practical but as a practical matter, it puts a huge burden on them to drive in this car going back and forth.

[00:07:13]Okay. She could move up there without the court's permission.

[00:07:16]Um there's nothing wrong there's nothing all that different that I'm aware of, as I said, between Canton public schools and Monroe public schools. So, I'd say that we adopt the order except that she can enroll them in the Canton public schools because Mr. Rodriguez doesn't have them during the school week. It's on information and belief he doesn't drive. Okay, well, maybe you do. Then I then I stand corrected. But as a practical matter as a practical um Ms. Rodriguez has a job a better paying job than she had before, earns more than than she ever did, has benefits for the kids that she never had. And and and all this would do is force her is is basically force her to have to to to ask the court's permission to do what she's allowed to do by right because because that previous order might have been a little bit more restrictive than it otherwise should have been.

[00:08:05]It possibly should have said something along the lines the public schools where the where the parties live or something like that because there's nothing I'm unaware of any inherent property other than geography that would differentiate Monroe public schools from the Canton public schools.

[00:08:23]So that and that would be that would be the extent of my objection to the to to the recommendation.

[00:08:29]Now as for all the other Now now as Mr. Rodriguez, let me finish. Now as for the other thing we have we have a bit of chaos here and then I filed an appearance um and and I did send it to Mr. Rodriguez I believe on the 12th.

[00:08:43]The appearance itself says that I request copies of all file of everything filed in this case. I haven't received anything from Mr. Rodriguez. I haven't received his most recent objections. I got that from the friend of the court. I haven't received I have not received anything and I requested them in your and he's playing wants to be his own attorney. I would like copies of those files. I haven't received them. The other thing too is the other thing I I It doesn't matter.

[00:09:11]You could easily I said Mr. Rodriguez, do not interrupt, please. The other thing The other thing The other thing too that we have with this is he likes to file um objection after objection after objection after objection. Billions of them and then he mixes them all up and tries to fight them all at once and it and it adds to the and it adds to the confusion of the case.

[00:09:33]So I don't really see anything other than a power play issue here favoring Mr. Rodriguez having the children in the Monroe public schools if they're near if they're near Ms. Rodriguez. The other thing too with this is there's allegate there that you know it's obviously these parties don't get along.

[00:09:52]But also Mr. Rodriguez has unclean hands. They were both parties were ordered to to participate in certain programs. I don't know if my client has or hasn't but we sure as heck don't know if Mr. Rodriguez has or hasn't either because again there's been no proof. I filed them.

[00:10:08]>> Yeah, again as the attorney of record and you I I am entitled to all filings.

[00:10:14]And if you want to play lawyer, we're all supposed to play by the court rules.

[00:10:18]Those are the rules of the road so we don't have chaos. And this has become one hand clapping. So if Mr. Rodriguez uh A I would ask that Mr. Rodriguez give me copies of everything that's been filed in this case. Number one. Number two, we would ask that the court entertain allowing Ms. Rodriguez to have the children in Canton public schools because there's no good reason to have them driving back and forth an hour and a half every day. Plus what plus I don't quite know know what time her shift starts or how this interplays with any latchkey programs or anything like that.

[00:10:55]Um I believe Ford starts pretty early in the morning and I don't know you know if memory serves me right I think it might be a 7:00 shift. I don't know how the heck that this would even be be feasible. We don't want to endanger her job. So who's watching the kids? The kids >> Mr. Rodriguez, can you We're going to mute you Mr. Rodriguez. You keep interacting. And and as for and as for the and as for who's watching the kids Mr. Rodriguez, during the school year if they're in school it doesn't really matter. They're being watched by the by by school staff. That's what we're talking about right now. If we have other issues with latchkey or daycare or other things like that we can deal with that at another time. But right now, we have a serious issue here as to adding hundreds of miles of of of road travel to these children's lives every week.

[00:11:42]And that's not in their best interest.

[00:11:45]Thank you, Mr. Rohlfing.

[00:11:46]Thank you.

[00:11:47]>> without question, Miss Mr. Rodriguez, she can move to Cannon. She absolutely she can. But to changing the schools on her own, that is not to principal side of this court allowing that. All right. Here's where things explode.

[00:12:01]The judge formally adopts both recommendations. Monroe schools, alternating weekends, exchanges at Flat Rock Police Department.

[00:12:10]She can't just just unilaterally change the school districts for the children.

[00:12:14]Mr. Rohlfing, have you received a copy of the recommendation of Catherine Scott dated August 26, 2024?

[00:12:20]Uh I'm unsure, Judge. I do not know. I don't have it in the file in front of me, but that does not necessarily mean I don't have it. The rough referee Hamrick on Oh, referee Hamrick's right. Yes, I have that. Yes.

[00:12:32]>> She Okay. Her recommendation is at the issue of school district and she denied the request to modify parenting time. Um I'm sorry. She recommended that mother share parenting time uh week on week off during the summers, that they both complete the high conflict solutions parenting workshop, that the issue of parenting time and choice of school district for the for 2024-2025 school year be referred to the front of the court for investigation recommendation. Catherine Scott and they completed a investigation. She issued a report dated August 26, 2024. She indicates that the um the the Also, she interviewed both the children.

[00:13:10]The 10- and 7-year-olds were old enough to be interviewed. That parent mother failed to cooperate in any way with the front of the court during this for his parenting investigation. She did not respond. She was mailed a questionnaire. She was asked to make phone interviews. She did not respond at all or cooperate with the front of the court during investigation. So, the the regulation of Catherine Scott is that children attend Manoa public schools to provide continuity consistency for the children. That's where the children have been.

[00:13:37]Now, do you want to change them to Canton schools where they are not familiar with? And further that mom was spending time during the school year to be alternate weekends Friday 6:00 until Sunday at 6:00. Again, but judge again, if she's got them Friday at 6:00 till Sunday at 6:00 it's a it it makes no sense it makes no see shush. Um it it it it makes no sense to force her to drive back and forth back and forth back and forth.

[00:14:02]And there is no and as for consistency with schools judge as you know every few years you wind up in a new school. School friends and school things are inconsistent.

[00:14:12]You're in with a with a new class or whatever. You know, my kids complain oh, I'm in with my friends. I'm not in with my friends etc. The fact is is they'll make new friends and as for the consistency from one year to the next there's no it it really doesn't make a difference. The issue really is just during the during the school year because parents pick up and move all the time. So, I'm not entirely sure that that that that extra verbiage about consistency other than a other than amplification is really justified because they are enrolled in school.

[00:14:46]I think >> Mr. Bringer has been no petition filed with this court to change school districts. Mother has just unilaterally decided she's going to do this on her own to pick up no petition filed with the court to change the school district of the child to make that an issue and school be as begun this week. So, the court at this time well is of the opinion that children need consistency continuity and that they will continue in their current schools Manoa public schools.

[00:15:09]And uh Ms. Rodriguez shall return the school the children to school tomorrow morning and unless you want to bring them back to dad this evening. Court will adopt Ms. Brown's recommendation and in the in addition the court's going to adopt the regulation of Catherine Yeah, obviously Miss Rodriguez said not cooperate in any form of fashion or respond or provide input for the court.

[00:15:28]So, parenting time for the mom will be week on week off during the summers. During the school year, beginning this weekend, mom will have alternate weekends, Fridays at 6:00 till Sunday at 6:00.

[00:15:38]Exchange will occur at the Flat Rock Police Department. Judge, we would ask that Mr. Rodriguez's girlfriend not be allowed to pick up the children, that Mr. Rodriguez himself have to pick up the children. All right. Mr. Rodriguez, do you have someone else? So, obviously if there was a >> No, no, Mr. Rodriguez himself only Mr. Rodriguez, do you have a driver's license? Of course I have a driver's license, yes.

[00:16:01]Yeah, I can meet there. That's fine, no big deal. So, you can you'll pick up and drop off the children then on drop off at 6:00 on Friday and you pick them up on Sunday at 6:00. All right.

[00:16:12]Friday if we could do earlier on if we could do earlier on Friday, your honor, because if I can't have my girlfriend meet, it's going to be earlier on my time then.

[00:16:24]Well, we're not concerned about your girlfriend. On Friday, I can do Sunday all day, no big 6:00 No, that's fine, but she she doesn't want to meet my girlfriend. So, I'm saying I can't do Friday at I can't do Friday at 6:00. It has to be earlier is what I'm saying.

[00:16:37]Okay.

[00:16:37]>> If that's what she wants, unless she wants to meet my girlfriend.

[00:16:40]Okay. I go into work at 3:00. Mr. Rodriguez, perhaps we can do it Saturday morning. Okay, so we're going to do 5:00. Can you do it 5:00, Mr. Rodriguez?

[00:16:48]Yes, sir. All right. So, the parenting time exchange will be at 5:00 on Friday and 5:00 on Sunday. Perfect. So, shall We can bring the kids whenever. to that Flat Rock Police Department. So, Miss Rodriguez, do you want to take the children to school in the morning?

[00:17:02]You're going to take them back to You take them to school in the morning, you take them back to Miss Rodriguez this evening. What makes the most sense?

[00:17:09]Um Well, I work She doesn't want to meet Miss Rodriguez, Chelsea Rodriguez. Are you going to take your children back to Miss Rodriguez? Are your children are in your possession this morning, is that correct? Are they in mine? I'm sorry.

[00:17:21]Yes. Where are the children this morning? They're at school out here.

[00:17:25]Okay. Cuz school started The court is ordering the return of the children to public schools. Do you want to change schools in the morning? Do you want to take them back to Michael Rodriguez this evening? Okay, your honor, you're Okay, respectfully, I need to speak about this because you're putting them in a school district. You think this is consistent?

[00:17:41]>> the court will order Ms. Rodriguez that you you meet the five Please be there by 6:00 tonight. Judge, uh I >> by 5:00 tonight. Is that good for Ms. Rodriguez? Your children at 5:00 tonight. And so that Ms. Rodriguez can get them into public schools in the morning. No. Uh you're not letting me speak.

[00:17:59]>> Judge Ms. Rodriguez, Ms. Rodriguez, hold on. Ms. Rodriguez, we're going to mute Ms. Rodriguez for a minute. Ms. Rodriguez, if you're saying no to this court, you're not complying with this court's order. Then I'm going to order you to appear this afternoon in this court with the children. You you come down here this afternoon and then we'll start contempt proceedings. If you're telling this court you're going to ignore this court's order, then you appear personally in this court this afternoon at 3:00 with the children. Do you understand that? Is that what you want to do? I'm muting her. We're going to mute her. Your response. Okay, your response, Ms. Ms. Rodriguez. Um respectfully, you're not allowing me to say what >> Ms. Rodriguez, this court is ordering that you appear with the children at 3:00 this afternoon, Ms. Rodriguez. You be here too to pick up the children. You got to do it that they're not Ms. Rodriguez, you appear at 3:00 this afternoon in this court because you are not complying with this court's order, Ms. Rodriguez.

[00:18:44]If you don't appear at 3:00 with the children, you appear at 3:00 this afternoon with the children.

[00:18:49]No. We're done. Zoom out. Chelsea, you're showing up with the kids. Like, what Ms. Rodriguez, be here at 3:00 to pick up the children. I'm sorry, uh Ms. Ms. Brower. So we'll The verdict? Absolute devastation.

[00:19:04]Chelsea Rodriguez is found in contempt of court.

[00:19:07]The judge sentences her to 10 days in the county jail.

[00:19:10]The children are immediately transferred back to Michael Rodriguez.

[00:19:14]All matters continued thereafter.

[00:19:16]The gavel comes down hard. When a court gives you a direct order, you follow it.

[00:19:21]No matter how much you disagree.

[00:19:23]Defiance in front of a judge on record?

[00:19:26]That's a one-way ticket to a jail cell.

[00:19:29]Every single time.