References
This page collects media mentions, scholarly publications, judicial opinions, government records, and other independent sources that reference the cases, events, or individuals documented on this website.
These materials are included so readers can examine how the underlying court record has been discussed outside this website.
Academic Literature
Bias Is a Reciprocal Relationship: Forensic Mental Health Professionals and Lawyers in the Family Court
Authors: Dana E. Prescott and Diane A. Tennies
Publication: Journal of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers
Volume: 31
Year: 2019
This article examines the influence of explicit and implicit bias within family court proceedings, particularly in relationships among attorneys, judges, and forensic mental health professionals.
In its discussion of confirmation bias and forensic evaluations, the article cites the Vermont Supreme Court decision in Knutsen v. Cegalis.
“The court found that father and stepmother saw the forensic evaluation as a vehicle to once again attempt to establish that the child had been assaulted by mother.”
The citation appears in footnote 14 on page 432 of the article:
Knutsen v. Cegalis, 137 A.3d 734, 735–36 (Vt. 2016).
The Best-Interest Model of Termination of Parental Rights
Authors: Shree Sarathy, M.D. and Sherif Soliman, M.D.
Publication: Journal of the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law
Volume: 44, Issue 4
Year: 2016
This Legal Digest examines the Vermont Supreme Court’s decision in Knutsen v. Cegalis, exploring the court’s application of the “best interests of the child” standard in a case involving allegations of abuse that were repeatedly found to be unsubstantiated.
The authors discuss the legal and forensic issues presented by the case, including the role of mental health professionals and expert testimony in the court’s analysis, while recognizing that the allegations against Karen Cegalis were never substantiated despite numerous investigations.
“Despite False Allegations of Abuse Against the Mother of a Child, the Child’s Best Interest Supersedes Consideration of the Unfair Nature of the Termination of Maternal Contact With the Child.”
Court Finds Abuse Claims Baseless — but a Mom Still Can’t See Her Son
Author: Ken Picard
Publication: Seven Days
Year: 2016
This investigative article examines the Vermont Supreme Court’s decision in Knutsen v. Cegalis, reviewing the underlying court proceedings, expert testimony, and the consequences of allegations that multiple courts found to have no basis in fact.
“It is difficult to imagine a more complete destruction of a parent-child relationship based on false allegations of abuse.”
The article includes interviews with attorneys, mental health professionals, and a detailed chronology assembled from publicly available court records.
Judicial Opinions
Government and Professional Records
Consent Agreement Concerning Bambi Rattner
Agency: Massachusetts Board of Registration of Psychologists
Year: 2018
The publicly available Consent Agreement documents disciplinary action involving licensed mental health counselor Bambi Rattner arising from her professional conduct in my family court case.
Consent Agreement Concerning Dr. Ricky Greenwald
Agency: Massachusetts Board of Registration of Psychologists
Year: 2018
The publicly available Consent Agreement documents disciplinary action involving Dr. Ricky Greenwald, founder of the Child Trauma Institute in my family court case.