In 2004, a 13-year-old boy in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania got into an argument with his mother's boyfriend.

This happened a few days after Thanksgiving. Holidays can be a trying time for anyone.

In some cases, they can be especially hard on children

who have to split their holidays between parents. That is not a dig at divorced

parents. I am a divorced parent. Many families find ways to navigate shared

custody, shared holidays and vacations in a way that alleviate stress and

accommodates everyone involved. Sadly some families struggle year after year,

finding it hard to come to a compromise about when and how their children will see each parent.

In the case of this young man, it appeared his family struggled with

their separation. Matthew lived with his mother. According to statements from

both him and his father, there was some discord in the home he shared with his mother and

her boyfriend. It was reported that Matthew who was less than half the size of

his mother's boyfriend shouted some insults, so did the boyfriend, and according to Matthew's mother, he threw a stake at her boyfriend.

Matthew denied this, but his mother called the police and had her son arrested for assault.

His father hired an attorney and the three of them appeared in court before the end of 2004.

Matthew had the misfortune of appearing before Luzerne County Judge Mark Shivarella.

The judge asked Matthew if he threw a stake at his mother's boyfriend.

He said he did not.

And before he or his lawyer had an opportunity to make any statement in Matthew's defense.

Judge Chivorella had Matthew handcuffed, shackled,

removed from the courtroom,

and transferred to PA Child Care Detention Facility. that was a private for-profit juvenile detention center.

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