Father Accuses Mother of Unsafe Practices in Child Custody Battle

Wealthy proprietary trader Steven Schonfeld had a child with ex-model Sidra Saucedo in 2005. For several years, Schonfeld and Saucedo have been engaged in an embittered child custody battle over their now 11-year-old daughter. Tensions have increased as made evident by a recent complaint the woman filed in court, claiming her former lover and a psychologist have conspired against her. Maryland parents facing contentious custody issues may relate to many details in the case.

The Allegations

Saucedo reportedly has children with three different men. Schonfeld has claimed his daughter should be kept away from her mother because she is unfit to parent. He has accused her of sniffing inhalants.

The child’s mother says she agreed to meet with a psychologist recommended by Schonfeld. The psychologist was to act as a neutral mediator to help these two parents work out their differences and create an agreeable parenting plan. At some point, however, the girl’s mother began to feel as though her former lover and the psychologist were conspiring against her. In fact, she said she learned the psychologist had a conflict of interest because he was already working as a therapist for the child’s father.

Concerns About the Evaluator

Saucedo says the psychologist threatened to launch formal accusations of child abuse against her if she did not follow his parenting rules. The rules reportedly specified exactly how many story books she could read to her daughter, as well as prohibited her from sleeping in the same bed with the child.

Lessons for Maryland Parents

This case highlights several important considerations for parents in custody disputes:

Choose Evaluators Carefully

When using a custody evaluator or mediator, ensure they have no prior relationship with either party. Any conflict of interest can undermine the entire process.

Document Everything

Keep detailed records of all interactions with evaluators, therapists, and the other parent. If you believe someone is acting improperly, documentation is essential.

Get Independent Legal Advice

Before agreeing to any custody arrangement or evaluation process, consult with your own attorney who represents only your interests.

Focus on the Child’s Best Interests

Courts ultimately make decisions based on what serves the child’s best interests. Demonstrating that you prioritize your child’s wellbeing is crucial.

We Can Help

Any Maryland parent experiencing similar child custody problems may seek support by contacting an experienced family law attorney for guidance. At Leffler, Bayoumi & Oliver, we help parents navigate high-conflict custody disputes, work with custody evaluators, and advocate for arrangements that protect both parental rights and children’s wellbeing.

Contact us to schedule a consultation, or call 410-740-1180.

Source: New York Post, “Mom convinced shrink ‘conspired’ with baby daddy in custody battle,” Kathianne Boniello, Dec. 18, 2016