Who did he threaten and who did he harass?
My whole family. He had moved out, they had a disturbance.
-Your daughter? -Correct.
-Wrong. -We had a few issues.
He decided he wanted to leave.
If they don't get along anymore, that's their business.
You gotta stay out of your daughter's business.
And if you don't, you're foolish.
[narrator] This is Judy Justice.
[theme music playing]
Latoya Clemons Mosley is suing her ex-son-in-law,
Ronald Council, for the cost of diamond earrings, a computer,
and harassment.
[bailiff] Court, come to order. All rise.
[Judy] Have a seat, please.
Judge, case #4010, Clemons Mosley versus Council.
-Thank you. -You're welcome.
Ms. Mosley, that's your daughter?
That's my best friend.
Best friend? Your daughter is not here?
-My daughter's with the... -[Judy] There.
-She's with the Defendant. -Correct.
Interesting. They have two children together?
-One. -[Judy] A little girl?
Yes, ma'am.
Your complaint alleges, I actually thought that they were not together anymore.
-We're not. No. -[Judy] You're not.
Okay. Just clarifying.
It is your claim that Mr. Council stole two things.
-The baby is a year old. -One year old.
You claim that you put into the baby's ears
some little diamond studs to keep her recently pierced ears open.
-Correct. -And the first thing that you claim is
that the Defendant took the baby, really without permission,
-and returned her without the earrings... -Correct.
...so you want him to pay for the earrings.
-Correct. -And the next thing you say is
that somehow, he took a computer that belonged to you.
-Correct. -[Judy] You go into a litany of things
that happened between your daughter and Mr. Council,
who are no longer together, but who are together.
That happened a couple of years ago that caused their separation.
-Correct. -[Judy] I'm not interested in that at all.
-[Latoya] Okay. Correct. -That's none of your business here.
That has to do with your counseling your daughter,
or discussing it with your daughter. That has nothing to do with me.
Now, at the time that the baby's ears were pierced,
were your daughter and-- You're not married?
Yes, we're married.
Were your daughter and son-in-law living together?
I personally don't know.
-Yes. Yes, ma'am. -[Judy] Were you living together?
Who took her to have her ears pierced?
Me and my wife.
Okay. Do you remember when that was?
I would say... she's...
February, this year.
-[Judy] Of this year? -Yes, ma'am.
And did you see your granddaughter regularly?
Not while they were together.
And when did they separate?
I want to say end of school year, maybe June,
-she started living with my mom. -Wrong.
-[Judy] When? -April.
And what date did you put these earrings in your granddaughter's ears?
It may have been September the first.
Did you do that with her father's permission?
-No. -[Ronald] It wasn't September.
I'm sorry, it was August.
August. Did you do it with her father's permission?
No.
Did you do it with her mother's permission?
-Yes. -[Judy] Okay. Is that correct?
Yes, ma'am.
Tell me the circumstances surrounding that.
Jamiesha and the baby came to my home,
and I was in my room, laying in the bed. She brought the baby to see me.
I was hugging and playing with the baby.
Jamiesha was saying what she wanted to do for the baby's first birthday.
-[Judy] Who was saying? -Jamiesha.
-[Judy] Your daughter. -[Latoya] My daughter...
was saying what she wanted to do for the baby's first birthday.
And she wanted to take pictures with the baby.
When the baby was there, she had no earrings in her ear.
So, I said, if you want to take pictures, let her take pictures.
I reached into my jewelry box and said, put these in her ear.
And I said, please, don't let anyone take my earrings out of her ear.
She can wear 'em until she gets pictures or until you get her some new earrings.
Okay. And?
And that was like the first of, August the first.
[Judy] Was August one?
It was maybe August one. It was a couple days before the baby's birthday.
Okay. Just a second. So, that was August 1st.
And tell me the circumstances
surrounding when your granddaughter went with her father.
I was at work on a-- That was a Friday, I got off from work.
I came to my mom's house to see the baby.
So, your daughter was living with the baby at your mother's house?
Not your house.
-[Latoya] My mom's home. -[Judy] Okay.
I got off of work, I came by, I asked her where the baby.
They said that the father had came and took the baby.
Okay. So, that day, which was on... Give me the date again.
[Latoya] Um...
She said I took the baby.
Shh.
On August the fourth.
Okay. So, three days later, the baby went with her father.
The baby went with her father, it may have been August the second.
Okay. You put in the earrings on August 1st.
I put the earrings in the ear a couple days before her birthday.
So, I'm-- If I-- August the first.
Yes?
And then, she went with her father on what date?
She went with her father, it was a Friday.
[Judy] Do you remember the date, Mr. Council?
-Yes, ma'am. -[Judy] What was the date?
July 15th.
Well, maybe you have your days wrong. Somebody has their days wrong.
-It was July 15th. -It was August.
[Judy] Well, if she put the earrings in her ears on August 1st,
-how could they go missing on July 15th? -Exactly.
Yeah, I didn't even see my daughter August 1st.
Okay. You put in the earrings on August 1st.
After August 1st, when was the last time, that month,
that you saw the baby?
I would say August 12th, 13th?
-Would you stand up? -[Jamiesha] Mm-hmm.
You can stand next to him.
It's all right. Nothing's gonna happen here.
-Okay. -[chuckles]
You just testified that you put the earrings in the baby on August 1st.
I know if was before her birthday.
No. You said you put the earrings in her ears on August 1st.
[Latoya] I did.
What does that have to do with him on July 13th?
July comes before August.
[narrator] Latoya Clemons Mosley
claims her ex-son-in-law, Ronald Council, owes for the cost of diamond earrings,
a computer, and harassment.
Do you remember when your mom put the earrings in your daughter's ears?
Yes. I don't recall the exact date.
But it was before her birthday?
-It was before her birthday. -[Judy] When's her birthday?
[Jamiesha] August third.
On August third, did she have the earrings in?
August third, she had the earrings in.
So, you took pictures at her birthday party with the earrings in.
-Mm-hmm. Yes, ma'am. -"Uh-huh" is not an answer.
Okay. Would you tell me when the--
I don't remember, like I said, the exact dates,
but if... I don't know if she has the police report.
Everything should be in the police report. So, the date that she put the earrings in,
it was like the same week that he came and took the baby.
The earrings didn't come back with her in her ear.
Can I see the police report, please?
What is this police report?
What does this have to do with August, 2024?
It may have happened in July.
What?
It may be a different report connected.
So, the date that he took the baby, we called the police that day.
So, they put two of the same case numbers on the same one.
This all has to do with incidents that occurred a year ago, in 2023.
Not 2024.
That's what this says, August 4, 2023.
Yeah. This has nothing to do with anything in this case.
Would you return this to her, please?
Do you see what I'm talking about, Ms. Mosley?
-[Latoya] Yes. -[Judy] Okay.
This is the report that's attached, starting with July 13.
[Judy] May I see it, please?
So, he took the child, as he said.
He took the child on Saturday, July 13th.
Talking about that he had taken the baby from your mother's residence.
-Correct. -From your mother's residence.
Well, that was in July.
-That wasn't in August. -[Latoya] Okay.
And you just testified that you put the earrings in the baby on August 1st.
I know it was before her birthday.
No. You said you put the earrings in her ears on August 1st.
I did.
What does that have to do with him on July 13th?
-July comes before August. -[Latoya] Correct.
-So? -[Latoya] The dates were mixed up.
-I know I put it in before her birthday. -[Judy] That's a lot of mixed up.
-It's a lot of mixed up. -It is.
Okay. So, you're mixed up with regard to the days.
-Correct. -[Judy] Now, it's interesting.
Since they separated, have you been seeing your granddaughter?
-Correct. -[Judy] Where do you see her?
-At my mom's residence. -[Judy] Not at yours?
Does your grandmother take care of the baby?
-She help me. -You live with her?
Yes, ma'am.
Okay. And does your child's father come to visit her?
If he call me and tell me, but we haven't been talking, so...
The day that he took the baby, that was unexpected--
-[Judy] That's in July. -Okay.
Okay. And you haven't been to court yet to determine custody of the child?
We do have a custody agreement, yes.
You have a custody agreement that was entered into when?
What month?
We got it in May.
I'd like to see it. Do you have it?
Do you know what it is, Mr. Council?
Not to my knowledge, no, ma'am.
[Judy] You have a custody agreement that he signed?
-No. -[Jamiesha] A lawyer gave it to us.
He has to complete classes, and until he complete the classes,
he's supposed to be with like someone
in between the both of us to get the baby, or receive the baby.
-You're talking about some supervisor. -[Jamiesha] Yes.
Well, did a judge sign off on that agreement?
-Yes. -Do you remember that, Mr. Council?
Yes, and I remember it being closed out.
The case was closed out.
What does that mean?
The restraining order, or whatever, it was closed out.
I don't care about the restraining order.
Right. That was the reason for the custody agreement.
You're not following my question. If you'd just answer my questions,
we'll be a lot better off. In July, when you,
just for my own information, it has nothing to do with the earrings.
When you took the baby in July from her grandmother's house,
had there been a custody agreement
that was made into an order by a judge
where you had supervised visitation?
-Yes. -[Judy] That's an answer.
Okay. So, when you went to the grandmother's house,
and you said, I'm coming to see my daughter, and you took her,
that was not authorized?
Yes, I'm allowed to have her.
I didn't say you weren't allowed to have her.
I had a supervisor with me, my sister.
Were you supposed to have had the baby for that day to visit?
-Yes, ma'am. Yes. -[Judy] You were?
Is that correct?
I wasn't aware. They just basically came.
I didn't know anything about anyone coming.
So, it was like, a surprise to me.
You didn't arrange it with her?
So, the thing is that she has me blocked.
I have no contact with her--
So, the answer is, you didn't contact her.
No, ma'am. I had no way to.
-Okay. Did you contact her grandmother? -No, ma'am.
[Judy] You just went to the grandmother's house.
-Yes, ma'am. -Okay. Probably not a smart thing to do.
-Do you understand? -Yes, ma'am.
Now, you know anything about these earrings?
Not really. I mean, when I went and got my daughter,
I don't remember her having earrings. I was just excited to see my daughter.
So, we went out-- Well, first, I went and bought her something to put on
because she didn't have on any clothes.
We went, I got a dress. And then, me and my sister--
Well, she had clothes but you probably took her out too quickly.
I'm sure she had clothes at her mother's where she stays.
Right.
You just took her without the clothes. Okay. Keep going.
We left. We went to Candy Wonderland, and she played around a little while.
When we left, I was getting ready to go like--
I pretty much had to get her prepared for her birthday.
Like, take her shopping and buying things that I wanted to have for her birthday.
And earrings was one of 'em, because the earrings that I bought for her
for Easter, she had pulled 'em out like within a day.
She's had like three pair of earrings already this year.
Now, the ones she have in her ear, that would probably be
the fourth pair of earrings. But I mean, she's a one-year-old. She's a baby.
Just a second. She had earrings on when you took her.
Because you say in your answer, unless you misspoke, sir,
that when you left the Candy Wonderland with your daughter,
"I noticed that her earrings weren't in her ears."
-Right. -What earrings?
I bought her earrings for Easter.
-[Judy] Those earrings. -Yes, ma'am.
Okay. "I figure she lost them. I took her to get new ones
-and bought her gold hoops." -Correct.
Okay. So, the earrings that you were talking about
were the earrings that you bought her for Easter.
Yes, ma'am. She didn't have any earrings.
Oh. What kind of earrings did your husband buy his daughter for Easter?
They were studs, as well.
-[Judy] Studs? --[Ronald] No, they were hoops.
-No, hoops were later, sir. -Actually, yeah.
No, I bought her hoops for Easter.
She has two pair of hoops, then she has studs.
So, we did have like a few pair of earrings. I don't recall which ones--
I bought her earrings three times.
You don't have the studs of hers, do you?
-[Ronald] No, ma'am. -Okay.
You have any proof that he has the studs of yours?
Grandparents visit with their grandbabies
because they maintain reasonable relationships with both parents.
Even if they're divorced. And if you don't, you're foolish.
[narrator] Latoya Clemons-Mosley
is accusing her ex-son-in-law, Ronald Council,
of stealing diamond earrings and a computer.
She also claims Ronald threatened her and her family.
You don't have these studs of hers, do you?
-[Ronald] No, ma'am. -Okay.
You have any proof that he has these studs?
-No. -No, I don't.
[Judy] No, I didn't think so.
So, a one-year-old either took out the studs before, after, or whatever.
I have no sense whatsoever that he stole your studs that you put in a one-year-old.
Let's move onto the next thing. What's this computer nonsense?
My daughter was-- and Ronald was living together.
He had moved out. They had a disturbance, whatever,
which caused her to go into labor. She went into early labor.
What's the computer? Get to the computer.
The laptop was at her home when she went into labor.
When did you give your daughter the computer?
The laptop was at Jamiesha's home because my son...
-[pounding] -...my oldest son
-was spending the night with her. -I asked you--
I did not give Jamiesha a laptop.
-[Judy] Okay. -My son
was at Jamiesha's home with the laptop.
[Judy] Okay. How old is your son?
My son, at the time, was 19.
[Judy] He's an adult. So, that was his laptop.
It was my laptop.
[Judy] Well, you say it was your laptop
but it was in your 19-year-old son's possession.
-He was visiting his sister. -Correct.
Does your mother have a laptop?
Yes, ma'am.
Does your brother have a laptop?
I guess they share it. They have a family laptop.
When your brother came to your house, which she's talking about,
this is a year ago. We're talking about when the baby was born.
-Okay. -[Judy] So, it's a year and months ago.
Do you remember your brother leaving a laptop in your house?
I left him there. So, he just, he dropped me off to the hospital.
I don't remember what all he had,
but he did have a bag with a few things in it.
-Who? -[Jamiesha] My brother.
Okay. You know anything about your husband taking a laptop?
My husband took everything we had in the house.
On the day I went in the hospital, we had a few issues.
He decided he wanted to leave. He took everything out of the house.
So, his stuff--
Was that including the laptop?
-Everything out the house. -I asked you.
Was the laptop in the house when you went into labor?
-Yes, it was-- Yes, ma'am. -[Judy] Shh-- Just a second.
It's really interesting. Your brother came to visit you the day before.
You say he and his mother share a laptop.
So, why when he left, didn't he take his laptop?
Because he never left my house. When I was in the hospital,
my brother was still in my house. I let him stay in the house.
-[Judy] Oh, fine. -Yes.
Did you take the laptop from the house?
No, ma'am.
You have any proof he took the laptop from your house?
I have proof that he took everything from the house.
-I'm not asking about everything. -[Latoya] Not the laptop.
No. He says he didn't take it. Your son was home
with all of his stuff, including his laptop,
when she went to the hospital. Who took you to the hospital?
My brother dropped me off because Ronald decided to leave.
Just a second. Your brother dropped you off at the hospital.
-Yes, ma'am. -[Judy] Okay.
And then, he went back to your house.
-Yes. -And he was gonna stay in your house?
Yes. My husband decided he didn't want to be there anymore.
-You told me that already. -Yes.
You told me that. All right. So, I have two nonsense things.
The little set of studs for a year old, and a laptop
that is either owned by you or owned by your son.
And neither one of you have proof that he took it.
He says he didn't.
I have proof that he took everything out the home.
And the police did not allow my son to go back in and retrieve his items.
-[Judy] That doesn't say he took... -It doesn't.
I'm gonna read that if it specifically refers to a computer.
It does not.
It does not. I didn't think so. Anything else?
Threats, punitive damages for threats and harassment.
Who did he threaten and who did he harass?
My whole family.
I'm not interested in your whole family, I'm interested in you.
-You're the Plaintiff. -Me and my family.
I'm not interested in your family. Tell me how he threatened and harassed you.
When? Specific date, time, place.
-August 3, 2023. -Just a second.
August 3rd. What time?
-When we were at the home. -[Judy] What home?
[Latoya] I'm not sure of the time.
At whose home?
-My daughter's. -August third?
-What day was the baby born? -Definitely, she was born on the third.
[Latoya] August 3rd.
-Are you talking August third of-- -Of 2023.
I'm not interested in anything that happened August 3, 2023, madam.
You gotta stay out of your daughter's business.
-Stay out of her business. -[Latoya] Okay.
Because if you don't, what's gonna happen is,
and I can see that you adore this little grandbaby.
-Is it your first grandchild? -No.
Okay. But I can see you adore her.
'Cause what's gonna happen is, if you interfere between two people...
Unfortunately, in this country, grandparents do not have any legal right,
absent of severe circumstance,
to have custody of or visit with their grandchildren.
That's the law.
And so, grandparents visit with their grandbabies
because they maintain reasonable relationships
with both parents. Even if they're divorced.
And if you don't, you're foolish.
If they don't get along anymore, that's their business.
They created a baby, you would like to be in the baby's life.
It's ridiculous for you to sue him over nonsense.
Stay out of their business. We're done.
[bailiff] This court is adjourned.
It had nothing to do with, about visiting the baby,
it was about earrings that my husband bought me.
I believe she made the right choice.
Just like she said, you gotta stay out of people's business.
They were having issues of their own.
I wasn't here for their issues. I was here regarding my items.
All of this situation is pretty much from other people in our business.
We married. Let us settle our household.
I just wanted my earrings back.
I got a daughter. What I gonna steal from my daughter for?
I'll steal from my wife, if that's the case.
Me and my daughter's relationship is getting better now they're separated.
Try to be neutral, I love 'em both. I just don't know.
So, I know it wasn't the main point of the case
that the Plaintiff grandmother having issues with seeing her grandchild,
but I think that was the biggest takeaway from the whole case,
is that is it worth risking your ability to see a grandchild,
because as you said, grandparents don't have legal rights to visitation
unless very strict circumstances are met.
So, is it worth the $1,000 or $2,000 for earrings and a laptop,
that you have no proof that he actually took in the first place.
-And probably didn't. -And probably didn't.
He did not strike me as the kind that would do that.
He seems more like the type that just wanted out of the situation.
Not the type that would be spiteful and take earrings and a laptop on the way out.
Even so, she had no proof of either.
And it is a big risk if you already have an acrimonious relationship
with a son-in-law, or ex-son-in-law who's the parent of your grandchild.
I would probably just eat that for...
Not make a fuss over it.
...in order to maintain my relationship with the grandchild.
Yeah. And we know... Family, we have a big family,
so we know how important that is to keep it all open.
What I found interesting was even though they are divorcing,
-she still sat on that side of the table. -Sure.
-Seeing that, Grandma should realize... -Mm-hmm.
...whatever it is, you want to see that little girl.
-Don't get involved... -Yeah.
...with their domestic stuff. It's just not smart.
[narrator] Are you having a family dispute?
Go to JudyJustice.tv.