05081997 - News Article - Judges bid farewell to Lightfoot

Judges bid farewell to Lightfoot
Post-Tribune (IN)
May 8, 1997
www.newsbank.com
Porter County judges took a break from court schedules Wednesday to bid farewell to retiring guardian ad litem Bea Lightfoot.

For the past seven years, it has been Lightfoot's role to make sure the children are heard over the commotion of parents and attorneys duking it out in divorce and custody battles. "The judges only know what the two attorneys tell them. I speak for the child," the Burns Harbor resident once said of her role.

Lightfoot was one of seven Porter County guardian ad litems.

What sets Lightfoot apart from the rest is she alone offers her time and assistance free of charge. The others, all attorneys, receive $65 an hour for their court advocacy of the child. If the parents are unable to pay, fees are paid out of county funds.

"There is no way we could begin to count the hours she has donated to the courts and to the children of Porter County," said Judge Roger Bradford.

Lightfoot, leaning on a cane during the honorary presentation, said health concerns prompted her retirement. She declined to discuss her service further, citing the stress she has suffered over parents' criticism.

Three vocal parents who had lost custody of their children focused the blame on Lightfoot rather than the judges deciding their cases. It was Lightfoot's job to advise the judges on the best solution for the children.

In their letter of commendation, three judges and two magistrates acknowledged the complaints.

"Every contested court case results in at least one disgruntled person unhappy with the results and too often some people are willing to listen to parental failures grumble without checking the facts," the judges wrote.

After her husband's death, Lightfoot two years ago created a safe home for children caught in parental disputes.

The neutral zone offered supervised visitation for parents who had not won custody. The Children/Family Center in Chesterton, financed by Lightfoot despite attempts by some judges to gain county subsidy, closed in April.