Homeschool-denying judge sets case on mom's Sabbath

Previously reconvened hearing because of problem with his dog

Posted: March 15, 2009
8:08 pm Eastern

© 2010 WorldNetDaily

The judge who ordered a North Carolina homeschooling mother to place her children in public school demanded all objections to his order to be filed today – the day the mom in the case observes the Sabbath.

Venessa Mills says she was unable to meet the deadline for two reasons – because it was Sunday and because she was up until midnight helping her estranged husband move out of the house as part of the judge's order.

Judge Ned Mangum's ruling that it would be in the "best interests" of the three children, ages 12, 11 and 10, to be placed in public school in compliance with the wishes of the husband, Thomas Mills, in a divorce case, has raised concern throughout the homeschool community nationwide since it was first disclosed by WND last week.

Ms. Mills is accusing the judge of insensitivity to her plight, especially since Mangum recessed a December hearing in the case because of an emergency involving his dog. Originally the deadline for filing the objections was set for Monday, March 16. Following the national publicity the case received, the judge changed the deadline to today – Sunday.

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"We can sympathize with Judge Mangum's concern for his dog," said Adam Cothes, who is assisting Ms. Mills with her case. "We really can. But did Judge Mangum compensate Venessa Mills for her emotional distress and wasted money that resulted from his decision to cancel court? No, when he finally got around to issuing a judgment, it was to leave Venessa without any adequate financial support to afford everyday needs, let alone a proper defense of her rights."

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At a court hearing last week, Mangum conceded the children are "thriving" under Mills' instruction but said they need to be exposed to the "real world."

"It will do them a great benefit to be in the public schools, and they will challenge some of the ideas that you've taught them, and they could learn from that and make them stronger," the judge said.

Mangum, when contacted by WND, explained his goal in ordering the children to register and attend a public school was to make sure they have a "more well-rounded education."

"I thought Ms. Mills had done a good job [in homeschooling]," he said. "It was great for them to have that access, and [I had] no problems with homeschooling. I said public schooling would be a good complement."

The judge said the husband has not been supportive of his wife's homeschooling, and "it accomplished its purposes. It now was appropriate to have them back in public school."

Mangum said he made the determination on his guiding principle, "What's in the best interest of the minor children," and conceded it was putting his judgment in place of the mother's.

In her court filing, Venessa Mills said her children already interact with other children at organized homeschool activities. A website about the case has now been set up.

Mangum's ruling and reasoning sparked public outrage after WND's story, reported the News & Observer – including an organized campaign to have the judge removed from the case. District court officials received more than 25 calls Thursday complaining about the decision while other court offices also reported being contacted.

Mangum said that while he expressed his opinion from the bench in the court hearing, the final written order had not yet been signed.

Cothes said he and Venessa Mills believe the switch in dates for objections in the case was a result of the judge's concerns over national publicity in the case.

"Of course, he is well aware of Venessa Mills' religious beliefs that hold Sunday to be a sacred day, a day of rest and worship unto God, and the most important day of the week for her and her children," said Cothes. "So, again, we can understand that Judge Mangum considers his dog to be important, but what is obvious is that he has no concern for what Venessa Mills' considers important – the Sabbath."