A Call for Leadership: Enforcing Custody Orders to Protect Akron’s Families

Dear Mayor Malik,

I am writing to you not only as a parent, but as a citizen who believes Akron has the opportunity to lead the way in protecting children, restoring public trust, and breaking generational cycles of trauma.

Right now, countless parents in Akron and across Ohio are told by police that the denial of court-ordered parenting time is a “civil matter.”

But under Ohio Revised Code § 2919.23 (Interference with Custody), it is not.

It is a criminal offense.

The law is clear, yet enforcement is inconsistent, leaving children caught in the middle of coercive control and alienating behaviors that can scar them for life.

This failure to act doesn’t just harm families—it erodes public confidence in our justice system and police.

It sends a message to children that court orders don’t matter, and to abusers that they can defy the law without consequence.

Here is where your leadership matters. As mayor, you have the power to:

1. Direct Police Policy – Work with the Akron Police Chief to ensure officers are trained to recognize and enforce custodial interference under ORC 2919.23, not dismiss it as “civil.”

2. Coordinate with Prosecutors – Convene meetings with the Summit County Prosecutor to align practices so these cases are charged and not ignored.

3. Model Accountability – Establish Akron as a statewide example of how cities can prioritize children’s rights, parental equality, and the consistent enforcement of court orders.

By making custodial interference enforcement a priority, Akron can become a leader in addressing coercive control, strengthening families, and setting a precedent for Ohio.

This is not just about legal compliance—it is about protecting children’s stability, upholding parental rights, and building trust between citizens and their government.

Every act of leadership creates ripple effects. Enforcing these laws is not simply about today’s disputes—it’s about shaping Akron’s future into a city that truly protects its families.

I urge you to use the authority of your office to initiate this change. The people of Akron are watching, and our children deserve no less.

Respectfully,

Carey Ann George