Judge On Hot Seat, Defends Decision To Lock Up 3 Kids

PONTIAC, Mich. (AP) - A Detroit-area judge facing a misconduct hearing has defended her decision to send three siblings to juvenile detention for refusing to meet with their estranged father.

Oakland County Judge Lisa Gorcyca testified Tuesday that she had run out of options. A retired judge is holding a hearing on misconduct allegations filed by the Michigan Judicial Tenure Commission.

Gorcyca presided over a custody dispute involving parents of three children. Last July, she sent them to juvenile detention for refusing to have lunch with their dad. The kids were released after two weeks.

Gorcyca is accused of misconduct and subsequently giving false explanations during the investigation. Tenure Commission staff attorney Margaret Rynier says Gorcyca abused her power.

Gorcyca's attorney, Tom Cranmer, says she's only guilty of "caring too much."

 
(Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)