CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) – A Cleveland mother was charged with two counts of murder after her daughters were found in suitcases partially buried in a park near E. 165th and Midland Ave last week.
In the days that followed, we spoke with DeShaun Chatman, who is the father of 8-year-old Mila Chatman.
He said he’s been trying for years to get access to his daughter but felt the courts and Child Protective Services (CPS) weren’t working with him.
There is a law in Columbus working its way through the process trying to clarify parenting roles and rights.
Senate Bill 174 (SB174) was passed in November and is currently sitting waiting in a House committee.
At the time the bill was passed one of the bill’s sponsors, Senator Theresa Gavarone (R-Bowling Green) said, “No one is a winner in parenting disputes. But if anyone is, it should be the kids. By passing this legislation, the Ohio Senate is taking the first step toward encouraging cooperation between separated parents.”
The bill has a number of provisions looking to make it easier for a judge to give equal rights to both the mother and father.
For example, it would prohibit a judge from giving preference to a father or a mother based on a person’s financial status or gender.
It also requires a parenting plan be filed that shows parenting and decisions will be a shared responsibility regardless of marital status.
There is also a prevision that would allow unmarried parents to file a complaint at no charge, requesting the allocation of parenting rights and responsibilities upon the father establishing parentage and provides an expedited hearing and temporary orders.
Copyright 2026 WOIO. All rights reserved.
Source link
