Community member urges independent probe of probate court, cites family separations and alleged contempt order

Brandy Ritzma of Kentwood used her public comment time to press the board for an independent review of probate court practices, alleging that families have been separated and that rulings are sometimes pre-determined. "630 cases a month are not 630 files," Ritzma said. "They are 630 human beings." She named several people and families she said were harmed and called on the county to investigate alleged contempt findings and funding discrepancies.

Ritzma asked the board to stop allowing "the institution being accused to investigate itself," to require written findings and review dates for restrictions on liberty, and to regulate recorded hearings. The board did not act on the request during the meeting; the comment was recorded as part of the public-comment period.