Many have asked about the financial needs of the Burns family. We want to provide you with an update.

In the early morning of Tuesday, December 8, Josh will be released from his unjust incarceration in the Livingston County Jail. We anticipate his release to be sometime between 12:15 a.m. and 1:15 a.m., depending upon how long the exit process takes.

Today’s hearing yielded an unexpected but positive result. This hearing was to determine how the family reunification plan is progressing. A request was put forth for Josh to have parenting time with Naomi on Christmas Day.

We have now entered the appeals process, which will likely take some time. We would like to provide a short explanation of how this process will work. If you are interested, you may also see this process in chart form.

Today, Judge Miriam Cavanaugh denied several motions presented by Josh’s attorneys, including a motion for a new trial. At this point in time, we will proceed to appeal both the results of today’s hearing and Josh’s criminal conviction in the Michigan Court of Appeals.

Both motions presented in court today were denied. Brenda and Josh are understandably disappointed, but certainly not surprised.

What: Because Josh is unable to engage in reunification therapy while incarcerated, the Michigan Innocence Clinic will argue for a reduction in Josh's sentence and/or grant day parole for the purpose of participating in family therapy.

Status of the Appeal: Josh’s appeal has begun. One of the first steps in the appeals process is to seek a new trial in the court that originally tried the case.

Today, after 546 days of unjust separation from his daughter, Josh was allowed to see Naomi at the Livingston County Jail through a glass window with a telephone receiver.

On September 19th, five Torn Family Trustees, along with Melissa Geers, Rosanna Hoffmann, and Brenda Burns addressed the University of Michigan Board of Regents regarding concerns with the way child abuse was being diagnosed.