The Best Interest of the Child: by Ph.D. Daniel Sturtevant

Written in 2025 by a Ph.D, here's a link to: The Best Interest of the Child: A Measurable Standard to End Legal Ritual and Restore Constitutional Order.

Intended for scholars, legal professionals, psychologists, and policymakers, this paper provides a foundation for more coherent practice and policy design in child-related systems.

At the OSF website, I saw that Sturtevant wrote about Troxel, a United States Supreme Court case that I read about a few weeks ago, regarding grandparent rights to visits with their grandchildren. I don't have time to read it right now, but I'm sure it's good!

Incarcerated and pregnant?

In a meeting today, I said I would research the issue after someone mentioned that after giving birth, an inmate in Maine is quite distressed about being denied access to her baby. I found a 49 page report from last fall; and here it is. 

Zoom info 8:30 3/11/26 - Extension of Protection order

I called the courthouse in Wiscasset his morning to find out if I can share the zoom meeeting information for my scheduled appearnance tomoorrow morning at 8:30, which is open to the public. She had to put me on hold to get the answer. I recorded our conversation, as I don't want to be arrested again for violating the current protection order. She said I can share the information, but it will be up to the presiding judge if people who try will be let into the hearing. 

Regarding the protection from harassment or abuse order that expires on March 26, there is a motion to extend it. If I don't appear, the motion will be granted. Here's the information that the clerk gave me: 

https://courts-maine-gov.zoom.us

Mtg I.D. 98321690303

Passcode 057272

I won't have the assistance of counsel for this matter apparently. Below is a question I asked of the attorney yesterday and his reply. He doesn't have experience in family law matters, which my case has much to do with; and that's why I've asked for a new attorney and he asked to withdraw. Before he did he put in some motions for me so that deadlines to appeal and to ask for a new trial are not missed.

"Thank you for filing the motions to continue sentencing, and extend the deadlines for the appeal and a new trial. I made several requests that you locate my phone and verify the chain of custody while you were working on this case; I even asked for a Frank's hearing which I believe would have confirmed its location and whether police had the authority to take it or not." Paula

"We can talk about the scope of my service to you after the judge determines whether or not I will continue to represent you after Thursday's hearing." Attorney Parsons

"Find My" doesn't lie...

My Iphone was taken on 3-30-25 when five Lewiston officers breeched my door after I told them they were making a mistake. After I was released and got home, I pinged my Iphone's location using my Ipad; it was at the office of the district attorney at 184 Main Street in Lewiston. 

In March I was arrested twice regarding a protection order in Lincoln County which should not have been granted. I wasn't appointed an attorney to defend against the baseless charges until 7 months later. 

I've been arrested several times, and jailed for missing court...though I had a good reason. I was jailed overnight for reposting a news story. Almost all of the charges against me were dismissed just before the trial by jury on 2-24-26. I have a good case for malicious prosecution, and much more!

If you want to support me, I just posted my paypal link at the top of my home page. 

Below is a message to the prosecutor, from my former court-appointed attorney, who was not experienced in family law matters. District Attorney Kent Murdick's response on 1-22-26 follows. I've asked the Maine Commission for Public Defense Services to appoint me an attorney who has family law experience, as I've asked for a new trial; I was convicted of stalking. 

Good morning - 

    I made three separate calls to the Lewiston PD on Friday related to the return of your phone.  I spoke to Mr. Dumont, the evidence custodian, and LT St. Laurent, his supervisor.  

    They have been aware of the phone issue for some time and were willing to return it to you several months ago.  They indicated that the District Attorney's Offices from Lewiston and Wiscasset both asked them to locate the phone.  They believe they have made a diligent inquiry about your phone and have not been able to locate it.  

    LT St. Laurent indicated that his team went back and looked at the body camera footage from your arrest.  He says that the footage shows the officers leaving the phone behind in your apartment.  If you still want access to the footage, you can email him and submit a FOAA request for the footage.  He indicated that it will probably be about thirty days for them to provide the footage, because they are in the process of archiving footage from last year and it may take a few weeks to retrieve the footage for you.  

So D.A. Murdick doesn't know that you can transfer your phone number to a new phone? If not for the Find My feature on my Ipad, would anyone even believe me? What about my complaint handed to the former chief during July 15 city council meeting? That disappeared too. 

You can demand accountability by asking reporters to do a story, and demanding there be an investigation: the new chief of the Lewiston Police Department, Carly Conley, is not addressing these very serious violations of the law and of my rights.  

Parole 4 Maine - LD 1941

People in Maine have been trying to bring back parole for a few decades...and we're getting closer! 

To get put on an email list to be updated about the Clean Slate Bill, go to the Parole For Maine website where you'll find the email:  

info@parole4me.org  

And here's information about parole at Restore Justice Illinois. 

Other important bills in the judiciary and public safety committee involve sealing of criminal records in some instances, to allow individuals to and creating an Ombudsman's office for the Maine Department of Corrections. 

While these bills don't address all of the problems for all prisoners, they are a start. If you agree that prisoners have rights and rehabilitation is possible and even probable, let your representatives and senators know.

It is not in dispute: Maine's justice system is in crisis. Many Mainers don't realize how corrupt the system is until they experience it first hand...like I did. I am asking for a new trial after being convicted of stalking. 

Maine prosecutors were advised by the Maine Commission for Public Defense Services not to pursue cases if evidence isn't strong enough to convict; but they aren't listening. 

I've asked for another attorney to be appointed to me...one experienced in family law matters.

$500,000 settlement - Maine State Police "failure to protect" case

The settlement was paid out in July of 2022. Here's a little something regarding a 7-07-22 story at WABI:

Brittany Irish had called police numerous times before the shooting saying Lord had kidnapped and raped her, and she wanted him arrested. 

I believe most settlements include a clause requiring victims to be silent. From the story:

As part of the settlement, Irish agreed to not make statements that criticize the state.

From a story at the Portland Press Herald titled Mother and daughter settle lawsuit against Maine State Police: 

Both a U.S. District judge and a panel of federal appeals judges held that the Maine state troopers named in the lawsuit should not be protected by qualified immunity, a legal doctrine that often is used to shield law enforcement officers from civil liability. The case seemed set to go to trial, but court records show it was removed from a trial list for February due to ongoing settlement negotiations.

Neither story mentions that Anthony Lord had committed a crime against at least one other woman... Jamie Clark; however, a story at TheCinematic did: 

In February that same year, Anthony pleaded guilty to a domestic violence assault charge and was sentenced to 10 months with all but 45 days suspended. Just a few months after, Anthony would have another run-in with the law. This time, it was for murder and attempted murder.