He drew controversy in recent years for his handling of the Brittney Bergeron case. He refused to grant Brittney's request to terminate the parental rights of her mother, Tamara Schmidt.

Authorities said the girls were stabbed in January 2003 by two Utah teenagers in revenge for a bogus methamphetamine deal orchestrated by the Schmidts, who were girlfriend and boyfriend at the time.

Brittney, then 10, was paralyzed from the waist down, and her 3-year-old sister, Kristyanna Cowan, was killed.

Hardcastle's decision was on appeal to the Nevada Supreme Court in February when Tamara Schmidt, still a prisoner, formally relinquished her parental rights and signed an open adoption agreement with the foster parents who have shared their home with Brittney for five years.

"This job is pretty hard on people, especially in Family Court," Kathy Hardcastle said Wednesday.

She said Gerald Hardcastle builds model ships for relaxation, and she still has one on display in her office.

https://lasvegassun.com/news/1999/nov/05/judge-plays-solomon-with-beanie-babies/

"This isn't about toys. It's about control," Family Court Judge Gerald Hardcastle told the couple. "Because you folks can't solve it, it takes the services of a District Court judge, a bailiff and a court reporter."

There was snickering among the five or six people in the gallery.

"I don't agree with the judge's decision to do this. It's ridiculous and embarrassing," said Frances Mountain, moments before squatting on the courtroom floor alongside her ex-husband to choose first from a pile of dozens of stuffed toys.

The courtroom was silent for about three minutes while the two took turns picking babies.

[–] Awoo@hexbear.net 13 points 1 day ago

There was snickering among the five or six people in the gallery.

lmaooooooooooo