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Judge Unaware He Gave Child Custody to a Child Rapist

By William Vogeler, Esq. on October 13, 2017 | Last updated on March 21, 2019

It's hard to put a positive spin on a really bad move.

But perhaps Judge Gregory Ross could become the poster child for "Wake Up Your Judge Day." He's the judge who awarded joint custody of a child to a twice-convicted child rapist, apparently because of a blunder on a legal form he signed.

A Michigan court spokesman said it was really the prosecutor's mistake, but somebody's head is going to roll. For now, the judge is facing a recall.

Christopher Mirasolo, 27, statutorily raped a 12-year-old girl nine years ago. She conceived, and recently sought child support.

The county prosecutor filed a response on Mirasolo's behalf after a DNA test confirmed his paternity. The prosecutor failed to advise the court, however, that Mirasolo had sexually assaulted the mother.

Ross signed a routine form, which included an order for joint custody. The judge was not literally "sleeping on the job," but the press was wide awake.

News reports spread like an infectious disease. In the aftermath, the judge stayed the order and Mirasolo has agreed not to seek custody.

Shame on Who?

According to reports, it was not the first time for the sex offender. Mirasolo had previously pleaded no contest to third- and fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct in another case with an underage girl.

Rebecca Kiessling, an attorney who was herself conceived through rape, is working on the paternity case pro bono. She also blamed the prosecutor's office -- for the paternity foul-up and the underlying prosecutions.

Lt. Gov. Brian Calley said it was the first time the courts have made such a mistake in Michigan. "We need to make sure that it is also the last of its kind -- and that the decision is overturned," he said.

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