
Explore the Domestic Violence Case that Dean and his family have been involved in.
See the timeline below for the details and original documents.
All documents listed on this site are public record and available to the public at the Contra Costa County Superior Court Records Department.
What Dean is Up Against.
-
Dean’s father, court, and police put him in harms way. See the full pleading to the court below.
View the document: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/13fNu6oq_8-1_-UiMo43SOgaBbsX9JKfo?usp=sharing
-
Dean’s Father’s Response shows he does not care for Dean at all, instead he is trying to rip him away from his protective family.
View the response: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1jrdt36goYW7ctrHcZd68hJuBCU6HT_Xo/view?usp=sharing
What the court ignored.
-
Dean wrote a letter to the court, the Judge did not listen.
View the Letter: https://drive.google.com/file/d/13lkhB8l-4_1VdBozZ1jkz-GQQgzJxXAW/view?usp=sharing
-
Dean is an exceptional kid. Read the letters that his teachers and advisors wrote about him.
View the letters:https://drive.google.com/file/d/1p5S2zTJwwCO3XDcf88JjSu07w9Sekta9/view?usp=sharing
The Law.
Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) and Lasting Harm
Barry Goldstein highlights the ACE research, which shows that children exposed to domestic violence or abuse face lifelong health consequences. The damage comes less from physical injuries and more from the fear and stress abusers cause. Without proper protection, these children are at higher risk for depression, chronic illness, and shorter lifespans
For decades the Family Law system has targeted protective parents and kids that speak up. Laws have since been passed; but this court ignored them. Barry Goldstein a nationally recognized domestic violence expert has worked to pass many of these protective laws that are not being upheld.
Gender Bias and Unscientific Theories
Goldstein also points to research showing widespread gender bias in custody courts, where mothers are often held to higher standards and blamed for fathers’ actions. He warns against the continued use of “parental alienation” theories, which have been rejected by the American Psychiatric Association but are still used to discredit protective mothers. He stresses that safe, nurturing parents should not be equated with abusive ones, and courts must prioritize child safety over outdated practices
Saunders Study and Court Failures
The Saunders Study demonstrates that most court professionals lack the specialized training needed to handle domestic violence cases. Without expertise in screening, risk assessment, and post-separation abuse, courts often fall back on myths such as false reporting or unscientific “alienation” theories. These mistakes tilt custody decisions toward abusers and put children in danger. Goldstein emphasizes the need for a multi-disciplinary approach that includes domestic violence experts