This petition is written on behalf of a devoted mother who has endured years of injustice and trauma under the rulings of Judge Michael Ryan of King County Superior Court. Her heartbreaking story is a warning of what happens when a judge abuses power, ignores facts, and lets personal bias shape life-altering decisions.

For years, this child custody case has been marked by judicial misconduct. Despite overwhelming evidence of the father’s drug abuse, criminal record, domestic violence, and harassment, Judge Ryan has repeatedly ruled in his favor. Meanwhile, the mother has been systematically denied due process.

The father—despite a long criminal history, high relapse rate, and multiple prison sentences—was granted a protection order without evidence. The mother, with extensive documentation of stalking, threats, and attacks, was denied protection. Shockingly, the order in the father’s favor even includes the child, giving him more control to continue the abuse.

In July 2021, Judge Ryan issued a custody order filled with false, defamatory claims—accusing the mother of causing her baby to be born addicted to drugs, despite medical records proving otherwise. He dismissed the father’s crimes—including theft, impersonating officials, public shaming, and emotional abuse—as somehow in the child’s best interest.

Judge Ryan imposed impossible requirements on the mother: she was ordered to attend only one of two specific treatment centers—no credit would be given for any other program. One of these centers had been permanently closed a full year before the order was even signed on July 6, 2021. The other required out-of-pocket payment, did not accept state insurance (which the mother relied on), and permanently closed as of January 2023.

Despite countless petitions and motions from the mother to amend the order so she could actually comply, Judge Ryan has denied or dismissed every single one. He insists it’s in the child’s best interest to keep an order in place that is literally impossible for the mother to follow.

Meanwhile, the father—despite his disturbing criminal history and ongoing harmful behavior—faces no such restrictions. Every motion the mother submits, even when backed by irrefutable evidence, is denied. Every motion by the father, no matter how dishonest, is granted.

When the mother submitted video evidence of the father violating court orders—coaching the child to say inappropriate things, interfering with visits, and discussing the case with their son—Judge Ryan did nothing to protect the child or hold the father accountable. The father’s harassment, impersonation, false reports, and contempt were proven beyond doubt, yet Judge Ryan excused these as “good faith” violations.

A serious conflict of interest exists: the mother is suing Amazon, represented by Judge Ryan’s former law firm. Despite this, Judge Ryan refuses to recuse himself, violating judicial ethics.

This judge’s biased and unethical conduct has endangered this family. We, the undersigned, demand a full investigation into case no. 20-3-01872-8-RTK, Judge Ryan’s actions, and his immediate removal from King County Superior Court.

No family should endure this cruelty. This mother and her child deserve justice. Washington families deserve a fair and trustworthy court system.

Please sign and help protect parents and children from this ongoing abuse of power.