Mom trying to regain custody of 5-year-old daughter from registered sex offender dad (Bakersfield, California)

The triumph of fathers rights. Basically an unholy alliance of pedophiliacs and corrupt politicians and judges.

The CUSTODIAL registered sex offender dad is identified as NICHOLAS ALIZONDO.

http://www.bakersfieldnow.com/news/investigations/Sex-offender-child-custody-dispute-289528181.html

Sex offender involved in child custody dispute

By Jose Gaspar, Eyewitness News

Published: Jan 22, 2015 at 10:58 PM PST
Last Updated: Jan 23, 2015 at 11:05 AM PST

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KBAK/KBFX) - In an unusual child custody battle, a Bakersfield mom is trying to regain custody of her daughter who was placed by a judge with the father.

But, the father is a registered sex offender.

"I can take care of her," said the mother, Lisa Knight. "I have that close relationship with her. I know exactly how she feels."

The case of Lisa Knight vs. Nicholas Elizondo drew national attention in 2013 because of the uncommon circumstance. Knight and Elizondo were married, had a daughter and later divorced.

Knight moved to Oklahoma and lived there with the daughter. Elizondo later traveled to Oklahoma and fought for custody of the 6-year-old girl.

For unknown reason, a judge in Oklahoma awarded custody to Elizondo.

Knight claims she doesn't understand why a judge would award custody to her ex-husband despite his criminal conviction. #"I have no idea," said Knight.

According to court documents obtained by Eyewitness News, 56-year-old Elizondo pleaded no contest in 1995 to one count of lewd and lascivious acts with a child under 14. He was sentenced to six years in prison. At that time, Elizondo worked as a parole officer and was a board member of the Young Republicans Federation of Kern County.

Efforts to contact Elizondo for comment were unsuccessful, and calls placed to his attorney, Larry Wilson, were not returned.

Knight returned to Bakersfield last year to fight for custody. She is acting as her own attorney, she said, because she does not have the money to hire one.

Knight keeps a voluminous file of legal papers and said she has evidence that will help her regain custody of her daughter. But, it may be more difficult.

"From the last order, what has changed?" said Bakersfield family law attorney David Leon, who is not associated with the case. "What change of circumstances have occurred that would warrant a change of custody?"

Leon believes that the judge in Bakersfield will not necessarily let Elizondo's status as a sex offender be a major factor, because that issue has already been litigated in Oklahoma.

"Judges can look at all the circumstances, obviously, to make sure a child is protected. But, in my opinion, they wouldn't be relitigating that issue," said Leon.

Knight said she has no record of any criminal history or drug use that may have played a role in losing her daughter. A check on the Kern County Superior Court website shows no criminal history for Knight.

A check on the Oklahoma State Courts website also shows no record of criminal history by Knight.

The case is scheduled to go to court in February. Eyewitness News will continue to follow this story and report on the latest developments.