My Story
My name is Hannah Sudds, and I am a long-time resident of Pinckney, Michigan. I have two children, ages 12 and 15. We love Livingston County, the lakes, the trails, and most of all, the people. I am not a lawyer, I am not giving any legal advice. I am simply sharing my story and welcoming others to push for justice with me.
In 2024, I filed for divorce and found myself in the courtroom of Judge Susan Longsworth. This was the beginning of a nightmare for me and my children.
Judge Longsworth was rude and bullying. She insulted my intelligence, my parenting, and behaved in a grossly unprofessional manner. She did not act in accordance with our laws or the Code of Judicial Conduct.
Judge Longsworth ignored evidence of child abuse, enabling it to continue. In July 2025, she took my kids from me, and banned me from any contact with them. My kids were forced to go with the man they were afraid of. At the time she entered this order, one of my children had fresh injures. That child had screamed to a US Border Agent for help, saying "they're going to kill me." Judge Longsworth knew this, their dad's own lawyer told her. Judge Longsworth even saw pictures of the injuries.
Judge Longsworth also knew that police had completed a forensic interview of my children, indicating a criminal investigation. The event that prompted this investigation happened at a police station. It was captured on security camera. When I tried to tell Judge Longsworth what I saw, she told me to stop talking. She told their dad's lawyer that he had to invoke his Fifth Amendment right.
Judge Longsworth knew my kids were running away from their dad, and had gone to the hospital for treatment. I had told her they were coming home from parenting time with bruises.
Others testified about their dad's behavior; a teacher even stepped up to protect one of my kids. Their court-appointed therapist quit after a single joint session, citing her fear of their dad. That therapist testified and provided a written statement.
I had a Personal Protection Order against their dad, and he had been found guilty of violating it. Police had referred several other reports to the judge for consideration of additional violations.
But Judge Longsworth indicated there had been no testimony or evidence that would cause her to believe their dad was a danger.
I don't know what more she needed, how many more witnesses, pictures of injuries, trips to the hospital? How many more professional evaluations, police reports, assaults caught on camera, or criminal investigations? My lawyer, his lawyer, my kid's lawyer, were they not enough? How many more lawyers did she need to hear from before she would believe it? Why wouldn't she at least follow established guidelines for determining custody?
Judge Longsworth put me in jail to prevent me from interfering in the transfer of my injured child to their father's custody. She took my phone, so I could not tell them what was about to happen; she cruelly ensured this would be as traumatic as possible for my kids. And it was.
She gave their dad the power to determine when I could be released from jail. I spent five days locked up, illegally. And it wasn't their dad that finally allowed me out.
While I was in jail, CPS checked on my children. They were so alarmed by what they saw that they sought an emergency removal order and took my kids straight to the hospital.
A Neglect/Abuse Case was started and assigned to Judge Cavanaugh, who ordered me to be immediately released from jail. My children were returned to me that same day. Their dad later pled No Contest in that case. He also pled Guilty to stalking me, and to two other criminal offenses.
We have spent the last year facing trial after trial. And our eyes have been opened. This can happen to anyone. Anyone can have their kids taken and be sent to jail if the judge feels like doing it. It isn't legal, and I believe that most judges are honest and would never dream of doing such a thing. Nonetheless, they can, and they are protected from personal consequences if they do.
There is not much one can do about it. I was extremely blessed just to get my life back. Many improbable people and events aligned perfectly, allowing me to get out of jail and be reunited with my kids. I am so grateful for everyone that helped, and I worry the next person may not be so fortunate.
Having my freedom and my kids back is not enough. I want this to never happen to anyone else. I want justice.
So, I put together a plan of action. I started 2026 by speaking at the Livingston County Board of Commissioners Call to the Public. I regularly speak at the Full Board Meetings to share our story now, a few minutes at a time. I have shared copies of transcripts and court orders. I submitted a Judicial Tenure Complaint. I am working on attorney grievances. I have spoken with others claiming harm at the hands of Judge Longsworth, and am learning their stories. I have written my Senator and State Representative, and am awaiting a meeting with a Director of Policy. I am in communication with Watch Dog groups. I have created this website to share my story and documentation (coming soon), and to track other Judicial Tenure Complaints against Judge Longsworth. I want others to know that they are not alone, and that people are working on addressing this problem in a meaningful way. Absolute Immunity cannot be a blank check to abuse people.
We are already starting to see change. Our Board of Commissioners are listening. On June 9, 2026, Judge McGivney ordered an updated docket removing from Longsworth any cases involving minors. Local news has started to report on this. More people are coming forward with their stories.
I am not a lawyer, nothing here should be taken as legal advice. I'm simply sharing my experience and my plan of action. I am inviting others to join me in demanding justice. I wish for our legal system to treat her the way she should have treated me: fairly, impartially, and with respect. I wish for her kids to be protected and kept off limits, as my kids should have been. I wish for true, honest justice.
We can push for justice together.