Judge Who Blocked Mom From Giving Kids COVID Tests Asks Court to Keep Job

A judge is asking the Ohio Supreme Court to let him keep his job after he allegedly blocked a mother from giving her children COVID-19 tests.

Geauga County Common Pleas Court Judge Timothy Grendell is facing suspension following multiple misconduct allegations. The Ohio Supreme Court heard oral arguments in the case on Wednesday.

Why It Matters

In October, the Ohio Board of Professional Conduct recommended that Grendell be suspended without pay for 18 months. Six months of the suspension would be stayed if Grendell refrains from additional misconduct.

What To Know

Joseph Caliguiri, the disciplinary counsel for the Ohio Supreme Court, filed a 61-page complaint against Grendell in 2022. In a custody case highlighted in the complaint, Grendell allegedly blocked two parents from administering COVID-19 tests to their children.

One of the children was experiencing shortness of breath and was hospitalized. After a doctor ordered a COVID-19 test, Grendell allegedly threatened to hold the mother in contempt of court.

The mother has not been reunited with her sons and a hearing has not been held in the case.

Grendell has allegedly said that the COVID-19 pandemic was overblown on multiple occasions, including an instance where he called it a "panic-demic" in court.

Grendell is also accused of forcing two brothers, aged 13 and 15, to spend time with their estranged father in 2020. When the children refused, they were held in juvenile detention under maximum restrictions for three days. The children were separated and were not allowed to call their mother.

Other accusations against Grendell include that he threatened county law enforcement officials and clashed with the county auditor.

Who Is Tim Grendell?

Grendell, 71, is blocked from seeking another term due to judicial age limits in the state. His current term expires in February 2027.

He served in the Ohio House of Representatives from 2001 to 2005 and the state Senate from 2005 to 2011. He was first appointed to his judicial position in 2011 by former Ohio Governor John Kasich.

What People Are Saying

Stephen W. Funk, Grendell's attorney, in his oral argument: "There was a lot of conflicting advice given to courts about how to handle the COVID crisis in the courtroom."

Joseph Caliguiri, the disciplinary counsel for the Ohio Supreme Court, in his oral argument: "We want to ensure that the public has faith in the impartiality and integrity of our judiciary."

What Happens Next

The Ohio Supreme Court took the matter under advisement and will issue a ruling later.

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