Casualities of W.A.R. Radio – “Beauty and the Basketball Player” Yahya McClain Interviews Former NBA Star Joe Smith, and Minnesota Mom Sandra Grazzini-Rucki

“I asked Santa for everything to be normal, just like it used to…” ~ 7-year old child, with grandparent, calls in to share experiences with family court

Casualities of W.A.R. Radio with Host Yahya McClain

Episode: “Beauty and the Basketball Player” – Former NBA Star Joe Smith, and Minnesota Mom (Former Mrs. Lakeville 2010) Sandra Grazzini-Rucki discuss their nightmare family court cases, and forcible estrangement from their children. Aired 12/28/2016.

Listen Online: Casualties Of War Radio with Yahya McClain Episode 1

Yahya McClain is creating a documentary called Casualties of W.A.R. that will include real-life stories of parents involved in family court litigation to raise awareness about unjust family court rulings, and parental alienation. McClain believes the family court is run like a business that benefits by continued litigation; and that causing estrangement between parents and children is one way to keep parents fighting in court (and thereby keep the business going, generate revenue).

Former NBA Star Joe Smith

Former professional NBA Star and 1995 1st round draft pick Joe Smith shares his story of how the family court system has been misused against him, and has caused him to become estranged from his two children who he has not had contact with for 3 years. Smith continues to fight in court for custody, and to maintain visitation with his children.

Smith says that it hurts him that the heavy financial toll that legal action has cost him, has prevented him from doing all that he wants to do for his children… and the pain inflicted on children by family court is often lost in the midst of proceedings. Smith believes his children are being turned against him, as they do not return his calls or respond to his efforts to communicate. Smith also says his ex-wife would not show up with the children during the set visitation times. Smith says it “crushes him” that he is missing so much of his children’s lives.

Ex-wife, Yolanda Smith, called in to the radio show and refuted the allegations raised against her. Smith was not on air to respond, and so the discussion was continued to another time. Yolanda Smith did say, on the air. that ex-husband Joe is welcome to call, contact or visit the children at any time.

Smith formerly played for the Minnesota Timberwolves from 1998-2003; the same state as where the next guest, Sandra Grazzini-Rucki has been involved in a lengthy family court case, and now involved in an additional criminal case. Sandra has also felt the devastating impact of unjust family court actions.

Sandra Grazzini-Rucki (Mrs. Lakeville, 2010)

Sandra Grazzini-Rucki was interviewed by Yahya McClain to show the other side of alienation.. how women are also effected by unjust family court rulings, and to demonstrate a pattern of how family court profits from ongoing litigation at the expense of family, even risking the lives of children.

Grazzini-Rucki talks with McClain about her horrific divorce with abusive ex-husband, David Rucki and the injustices she experienced in the court system from Judge David L. Knutson, and Dakota County. Grazzini-Rucki also speaks about how ABC 20/20 was given evidence of abuse and instead of portraying the facts, created a story that is highly editorialized, and not based on fact or evidence (that 20/20 has possession of).

Grazzini-Rucki said her children begged and pleaded to kept safe from the father who abused them, and that the courts refused to help and instead, worked to give custody to the identified abuser, David Rucki.

Grazzini-Rucki says about her case, “The children need to be listened to… and look at the evidence. My case is backed up with so much evidence and proof. That if the courts had done the right thing, we would not be in the position where we are today.”

And, “I’m out for the fight to protect my children, and to stop this from happening to any other family, to the best that I can….”

McClain says that once the “masses” or the public is aware of what is going on, that is when we can begin fighting for needed changes in family court.

You can hear this compelling interview in full here: Casualties Of War Radio with Yahya McClain Episode 1

Reader Comment: “The System is Hurting the Children…and Should Be Held Accountable”

This comment was left on our blog by a mother named Jessica who is involved in family court  proceedings in Florida.

Jessica read our blog, and felt a similar injustice as to what Sandra Grazzini-Rucki has experienced dealing with the family court system, and felt a similar pain, from being estranged from children as a result of an unjust court order. 

Family Court failures (bias, failure to recognize abuse, lack of training, corruption, malicious prosecution, violations of state and constitutional laws etc) are happening in every state of the U.S., and internationally – this is a pandemic crisis. As a result, the Court’s actions and rulings often endanger children, and punish parents who raise concerns about abuse or other safety concerns. Generations of children have been traumatized, abused, and hurt in the worst possible way. Children are being wrongfully taken from fit, loving parents – and robbed of the love and care that parent could provide, as well as being robbed of their cultural, religious and familial heritage. How is this in the “best interest” of children? 

We are posting the comment, and this picture quote, to raise awareness about the devastating consequences of systemic failures in family court, and to give voice to parents whose children have been unjustly taken from them.

Jessica says: “The system does not care. I’m going through the same thing in Florida.

I have never been in trouble and have raised my children alone, because the father was not around for 5 years. I worked full time to provide for my family. He did not pay child support and owes $80,000 in arrears.  The children have never been abused in my care and wanted for nothing.

Yet their father with a history of violence, criminal history (including spending 2 years in jail), Baker Acts (involuntary commitment for mental health emergencies) and injunctions is handed the children and I’m left with barely seeing them.

The judge refuses to hear or see any evidence from our side.

The system is hurting the children just as much as the abuser.

And they should be held accountable.“