The problem with family court, IMO, often comes from adults who are in the middle of a divorce often lie and invent claims against one another to get custody or more support, etc...judge get used to hearing from one parent how the child won't be safe or cared for by the other. It mut be very difficult to determine when there is a legit concern vs. a vindictive accusation. That said, it would be ideal if all custody and visitation issues were put on hold while such claims are investigated. Still, one would have to provide evidence in court, not opinions, for a judge to prevent a biological parent from having visitation rights. It is a catch-22, IMO, and even Ethan's father is quoted in one article as having said he had met NS once and thought he was a nice enough guy. As far as SS goes, she does not seem to have a criminal history to point at prior to this week. So the judge's hands were probably tied.
I simply don't know what could have been done, legally, to protect this child. The system fails far too often. But the blame and punishment must be attributed to the two adults in this case who tortured and killed Ethan, something that IMO no one could have imagined would occur. JMO.
