Unfortunately, this story is one of many where the father has lost basic custody of his children for reasons that defy explanation. In many states, even the so-called progressive family-law states, the father is still second class and has to prove his ability to even SHARE custody at 50/50. Even in cases where the mother has committed crimes, as in this article, once damage has been done to the father it's almost impossible to recover... Temporary custody arrangements from the court followed by the words "no prejudice" uttered by a judge regarding a subsequent permanent custody order should scare a dad to death!

It doesn't say in the article, and I don't know how the NH family court system would differ, but in my recent experience, the same judge was "set" to the case for the custody hearings for my mother and stepfather's children.
The judge himself seemed biased. I know that my mother wasn't a great mother, or even necessarily a good mother, although she never did wind up in prison, but my ex-stepfather was often abusive. Despite the evidence of this, the judge awarded custody to the father. The initial custody was given to him because of my mother's lack of income.
Less than a year after being awarded custody, he voluntarily gave up custody of his eldest, who was then put into foster care rather than being placed with my mother. Despite this, and evidence during all of the foster care inquiries that demonstrated "unfit parenting" he retained custody of the two younger children.
I eventually was able to gain custody of my sister, after attending several court hearings, and pleading my own case. I should mention that there is several years difference between myself and my younger half-siblings.

I'm wondering if it might not be the same issue for the father in this instance, that the judge was already biased toward the mother, or for whatever reason believed the nonsense that she put out. Once (s)he has his mind set against one of the parents, it could be difficult to change his mindset. Despite their need for impartiality, judges are human, and have the same failings, in that they may believe a first impression, even if it is proven later to be a false first impression.

Disgusting on many many levels.

He's guilty by reason of testicles.

/sarcasm

This is so sad.

The family courts just seemed screwed up.

My grand uncle works advocating for children and his stories are amazing.

In one, the father was accused of certain things including interfering with custody. That case was in one county, in another he was denied any custody, even supervised visits until after that case was heard. My Uncle (who was in the court) says it was clear the judge assumed he would be found guilty. The father was found not guilty on all charges. The judge ruling on the custody has since refused to make any ruling - always postponing the decision. Last I knew it was still going on and had gone on for over year.

On the other hand a druggy mother lit her apartment on fire while making drugs. She told firefighters she was the only one there, but luckily a neighbor told the firefighters she usually had a child with her and she had seen the kid earlier in the day. The court decided that mom just needed another chance.