Court Opinion

ID: 9723386
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-26 10:13:27.26924+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:24:48.178900
License: Public Domain

*950SCOTT, J.
I dissent from that portion of the opinion holding that there was sufficient evidence to hold petitioner to answer to the child abuse charge.
Though we are required to draw all reasonable inferences in favor of the information, I cannot find a reasonable ground for assuming petitioner may be guilty of child abuse based upon the testimony presented at the preliminary examination. While the child was certainly placed in a dangerous situation, there is no evidence that petitioner took the child knowing such a dangerous ride would follow. Although, as the majority states, a natural parent has an instinctive desire to rescue his or her child from a perceived danger, no such “perceived danger” existed here. Laurie Cline was simply, in disregard for the child’s safety, trying to retrieve by force her child from the custody of the father. While some adverse reaction might have been anticipated from petitioner’s attempt to remove his child, an ordinarily prudent person would not expect the extreme reaction from Laurie Cline without knowledge of her propensities for such action. The record contains no evidence that petitioner was aware she might act in such a way. Her conduct was bizarre, to say the least.
I would grant the writ in all particulars.