Judge in Greitens child custody case says naming of guardian 'not based on allegations' of abuse

A judge has appointed an independent legal guardian for the children of former Missouri Gov. Eric Greitens, pointedly going out of her way to say the decision was not based on abuse allegations against him recently leveled by his ex-wife amid his current campaign for the U.S. Senate. 

Greitens recently submitted significant evidence — including records from a doctor, a dentist and a therapist — rebutting ex-wife Sheena Greitens' belated claims earlier this year of alleged abuse back in 2019. 

Sheena claimed in an affidavit filed in March that Greitens had abused her and their children in 2019, while they were still married. However, in 2020, she had signed an affidavit saying that there was no "genuine issue as to any material fact" in the couple's divorce and that sharing custody of their two children with Greitens was "in the best interest of the minor children."

Last month, the judge in the Greitens' child custody case, Associate Circuit Judge Leslie Schneider, ordered that a guardian ad litem be appointed for "the best of the minor children."

"Said appointment is not based upon allegations but based on an independent counsel to consider contested issues consistent with the Missouri GUARDIAN AD LITEM standards," Schneider explained in the order.

"This is a very experienced and capable family court judge, who is familiar with the court record, including Sheena's unsolicited allegations filed March 21, 2022," Greitens' attorney Gary Stamper told Just the News. "Under Missouri law, allegations of abuse and neglect are taken seriously and where appropriate, mandate appointment of a GAL to represent the interests of children. In some cases, a guardian ad litem is appointed even though there is no evidence of abuse or neglect. In such cases, a guardian ad litem is tasked with representing the best interest of the children. This representation may not be in alignment with the interest or wishes of either parent but is always of substantial assistance to the Court, counsel and parents.

"In this case, Petitioner's subjective and stale complaints would provide no basis for action or appointment of a GAL. Rather, the Court is intervening on her own motion to protect the children from intense media scrutiny.

"We have the records from the pediatrician, dentist, therapist, and the mediator — all of which contradicted the ex-wife's false claims. In addition, Eric has custody this summer with Mother having intermittent weekends and a weekly 3-hour visit, which I also think speaks volumes.

"When we're next in court, we'll have a hearing on the motions to enforce compliance with the existing court order, and we'll also be able to cross-examine her about the contents of Petitioner's Exhibit No. 2 and her easily demonstrated contacts with political operatives and journalists when she was in Washington D.C."

The order came after Greitens had submitted medical and dental records, Sheena's emails and photos, and "over 50 photographs and 20 videos—all from October 31, 2019 until December 1, 2019—which show absolutely no sign of abuse or trauma of any kind for either son."

According to Greitens' filing, Sheena also falsely claimed that she told their mediator about the alleged abuse.

"In fact, Mother did not share this allegation of abuse with the mediator," the filing states. "If mother had reported abuse or suspected abuse to a mediator, said mediator was legally bound to report it. No such report was made."

In early May, the judge overseeing the Greitens child custody case approved of the Senate candidate's subpoena of his ex-wife's phone records in an effort to determine whether she spoke with top Republican political operatives and the press before filing abuse allegations against him.

Later that month, Sheena's call logs and text messages for the period of Feb. 1 through March 22 were turned over.

"Contrary to what has been repeatedly asserted by Eric Greitens, his attorneys and his political campaign, the records show absolutely no contact between Dr. Sheena Greitens and Karl Rove, Mitch McConnell, or any person working for these men," Sheena's lawyer, Helen Wade, told the Missouri Independent.

"These records further reflect no contact between Dr. Sheena Greitens and the Associated Press," she added, "which rebuts the allegations made by Mr. Greitens, his attorneys and his political campaign that she provided her affidavit to the AP prior to it becoming available to the public on March 21, 2022 at 9:26 a.m."

Greitens' attorney, Stamper, told the Missouri Independent: "I have repeatedly said that 'a lie can travel halfway around the world while the truth is putting on its shoes.' The denial proffered by Dr. Greitens' attorney ignores one, or more, easily identifiable calls."

Wade didn't immediately respond to a request for comment Monday evening.