Congratulations to Jennelle Johnson on keeping a child with his mother.

Ms. Johnson’s client was the victim of domestic violence.  Accordingly, to protect the child from domestic violence, the State (DHS – child welfare) wished to have ‘jurisdiction’ over the child.  However, Ms. Johnson’s client left the abusive man and obtained a restraining order.  Ms. Johnson pointed out that there wasn’t any more that her client could do – what did DHS want her to do to demonstrate that she was protective of the child?.  Whether the abuser is prosecuted is a decision of the prosecutor, not Ms. Johnson’s client.  Just before the start of the trial, the State gave up and agreed to dismiss the case against this victim of domestic violence.