Official Statement: Laing Case
Official statement (by One Mom’s Battle, Inc.) regarding the case of Maya and Sebastian Laing:
Based on comments we have received, some feel that it’s been “taken too far” by the protest happening at Lynn Steinberg‘s (alleged) office, I want to provide clarification:
OMB helped to support and coordinate the following two events with friends of Maya and Sebastian (follow them on Instagram at @maya.and.sebastian).
1. “Candlelight Vigil of Hope” in Santa Cruz on Thursday, October 27, 2022. We came together peacefully with close friends and family members of Maya and Sebastian as well as Community members and, advocates as far away as South Carolina.
2. Peaceful Protest/demonstration at the Watsonville courthouse (in response to Judge Rebecca Connolly‘s orders) On Friday, October 28, 2022. We came together to exercise our rights and we demanded (loudly) to be heard. This will not be the last of the events, we will continue organizing. Maya’s friends are amazing young women and we will continue to amplify their powerful voices in all that we do. These young women are our future and together, they marched into the courtroom and sat linking arms to ensure that their presence was known…. and it was.
The protest in front of Lynn Steinberg‘s (alleged) office was coordinated by the Center for Judicial Excellence. We have not collaborated with this organization in over a year, and we do not have a professional relationship or affiliation with this organization.
Here are some additional facts that I would like to address:
Our issue is with the “professionals” who were assigned to this case to act in the best interest of these children:
Judge: Rebecca Connolly
GAL: Brian K. Myers
PC: Shawn McCall, Psy.D
Reunification therapist: Regina Marshall
We would like to see a grand jury investigation, a criminal investigation (and prosecution), as well as a recall of Judge Rebecca Connolly.
"Had these people done their jobs, listened to these children and truly acted in their best interest, Lynn Steinberg would have never even been admitted into the equation, nor would the “transporters” (Assisted Interventions, Inc.) or the placement group (The Bodin Group) become involved.
It is our personal opinion that Lynn Steinberg and anyone else who works in the cottage industry of “alienation“ or, reunification camps, should be exposed and held accountable. There is nothing “in the best interest” of children happening in these industries, we believe these practices are traumatizing and abusive. If you can watch the videos of these children being transported to these camps and defend this practice or this industry, our group is not for you.
At OMB, we extend an invitation for both sides to keep focused on this present day situation, not which side is right or which side is wrong.
We are focused on the event that transpired on the night of October 20th when the children were violently removed from their home and placed with Lynn Steinberg in a reunification camp. We need everyone to come together and stand with us in the reality of what is happening to our children when reunification is forced, “at all costs.“ We have to stop infantilizing children and we must listen to their voices.
We also remain focused on what is currently happening to the Laing children - and until they return to Santa Cruz and resume their lives surrounded by friends and family, we will continue to shine a huge, bright spotlight on this case.
In an ideal world, and speaking in general terms, children should have relationships with both parents but that is not always healthy for them, nor is it always their best interest. In extreme cases like this case, forced reunification therapy and forced reunification camps are traumatic and will have lifelong effects. This is not the answer.
These children are being treated as if they were “troubled youth.” In fact, the placement company that was hired to place them after Lynn Steinberg’s four-day reunification camp specializes in “placing” troubled youth. These are children who were excelling and thriving in all aspects of their life but even if they had been troubled youth, this is not the answer.
It’s not about choosing sides, it’s about right versus wrong. What has happened to these children should result in every single person in our country linking arms and saying, “no more.” We need our elected officials to stand with us and demand better for our children.
We extend an invitation to link arms with us, no more reunification camps. No more forced reunification therapy, no more. #BreakingCodeSilence
Tina Swithin, One Mom’s Battle, LLC
#JudgeRebeccaConnolly #ReginaMarshall #BrianKMyers #ShawnMcCall #LynnSteinberg #Transporters #ReunificationCamp #AlienationIsPseudscience
