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Parental Alienation

A Disputed Theory’s Influence in Family Court

Psychiatry’s diagnostic bodies have not accepted parental alienation as a mental health disorder. But it’s being leveraged in family courtrooms.

Impact of Our Reporting
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Parental Alienation

New Utah Law Prioritizes Child Safety in Custody Courts

The legislation, which limits the use of reunification therapies and increases scrutiny of expert witnesses, follows ProPublica’s reporting on courts’ handling of custody cases involving allegations of violence.

Parental Alienation

Colorado Becomes the First State to Limit Court Use of Family Reunification Camps

A new bill restricts the use of reunification programs and requires domestic violence training for experts in custody cases. Lawmakers credit ProPublica’s reporting for exposing the need for reforms in the family court system.

Parental Alienation

Judge Pauses Order to Return Siblings to Father They Say Abused Them

Utah lawmakers call for examination of court-ordered reunification after a judge was persuaded by the theory of parental alienation to order Ty and Brynlee Larson back into their father’s custody.

Parental Alienation

Colorado Lawmakers Consider Reforms to the Way Family Courts Handle Abuse Allegations

Several people who testified in favor of the proposed reforms are plaintiffs in a class-action lawsuit against former custody evaluator Mark Kilmer, alleging fraud and breach of contract.

Parental Alienation

Colorado Suspends One Family Court Custody Expert, Reviews All Custody Evaluators Following ProPublica Investigation

A state-approved list of custody evaluators included some who had been accused of domestic violence and disciplined by the State Board of Psychologist Examiners.

What We’re Watching

During Donald Trump’s second presidency, ProPublica will focus on the areas most in need of scrutiny. Here are some of the issues our reporters will be watching — and how to get in touch with them securely.

Learn more about our reporting team. We will continue to share our areas of interest as the news develops.

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Sharon Lerner

I cover health and the environment and the agencies that govern them, including the Environmental Protection Agency.

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Andy Kroll

I cover justice and the rule of law, including the Justice Department, U.S. attorneys and the courts.

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Melissa Sanchez

I report on immigration and labor, and I am based in Chicago.

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Jesse Coburn

I cover housing and transportation, including the companies working in those fields and the regulators overseeing them.

If you don’t have a specific tip or story in mind, we could still use your help. Sign up to be a member of our federal worker source network to stay in touch.

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