Prosecutor James Young
(SANDUSKY) – Elected officials in Sanilac County continue to be on the hot seat this week in the case of partial custody being awarded to a convicted rapist. With new information that has come to light, Sanilac County Prosecutor James Young issued the following press release (his second of the week).
“On Tuesday, October 10, 2017, the Sanilac County Prosecutor’s Office issued a press release relating to a paternity action that has been the subject of numerous media stories. That press release indicated among other things the following:
That this case was initiated by the mother of the minor child after asking for financial assistance from the Department of Human Services (DHS). This Office indicated that we would perform an internal review of our policies and procedures, which also includes how this case was processed.
Our review indicates that this case should never have been sent to the Prosecutor’s Office because the DHS was aware that this child was a product of a non-consensual sexual assault and they were fully aware that the individual responsible was Mr. Christopher Mirasolo.
In fact, DHS had granted a good cause exception allowing the mother and the minor child to receive benefits without pursuing a paternity action. At the time that the case was referred to the Sanilac County Prosecutor’s Office, this was not caught by our Family Support Unit.
We regret the breakdown in communication between the Department of Human Services (DHS) and our office which contributed to the handling of this sensitive case.
The paternity action was filed and our normal procedures were followed. Mr. Mirasolo never requested this action to be initiated nor did he seek parental rights to the child.
No physical custody of the minor child and no scheduled visitation was established for Mr. Mirasolo in the Consent Judgment that was prepared. Financial child support for the minor child was established.
It is clear that recent changes in the Paternity and Child Custody Acts were not implemented into this matter.
Our review has now determined that under those new statutory provisions, Mr. Mirasolo should never have been granted legal custody.
And as we indicated in our original press release, we support the appropriate resolution of this case. We have filed a response and agree to the mother’s requests as filed in her motion.”
Prosecutor Young explained the Michigan Attorney General’s Office has agreed that the relief being requested by the mother should be granted.
Young said, “This Office takes the rights of victims very seriously and will continue to do so”
