My husband, Larry, and I raised two children, Janet and Mark. In 1996, our daughter was murdered by her husband in Tennessee, leaving her children, aged 2 and 6, without a mom. Our son, Mark, began a 10-year battle for our family to gain custody of the children. With devotion and perseverance, Mark labored with prosecutors to bring the killer to justice, led our effort to obtain custody of our grandchildren, and wrote legislation to ensure other children aren’t forced to live with a dangerous parent. — Carolyn Levine
Janet with her children
Mark Fought to Get Justice for Janet
When we lost Janet, Mark flew to Tennessee to help us take care of the kids and work with prosecutors. Even after the murderer fled to Mexico with the children, Mark relentlessly pushed forward, analyzing the evidence and the law and building the case for prosecution. It wasn’t until a decade later that our daughter’s killer was tried and convicted. Meanwhile, we were gravely concerned about our grandchildren.
Mark with his niece and nephew
Mark Fought to Protect the Children
When the father went to Mexico with the kids, he refused to let us even talk to them. Shockingly, Mark learned that Tennessee did not allow judges to consider spousal abuse when determining child custody. Tennessee law refused to protect our grandchildren or even grant us visitation in Tennessee or Mexico. The situation seemed hopeless. We feared we’d never see the kids again. Mark set out to change the law.
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The signing ceremony for Mark’s legislation
Our family today
Mark Fought for Legislative Change
Mark wrote a bill to allow judges to consider spousal abuse when determining child custody. He went from office to office at the State Capitol, convincing Republican and Democratic lawmakers to sign on to his legislation. After Mark testified in committee and on the floor of the legislature, the bill passed unanimously and was signed into law. The new law brought our grandchildren home and is helping countless other families victimized by violence.
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My son, Mark, has not just devoted himself to our family. He has worked hard to protect others who have been victims of violence. Mark never gives up, even in the face of what seems impossible. That’s what makes him a good leader. Please vote for Mark Levine for Virginia Delegate in the Democratic primary this coming Tuesday. Thank you for your consideration.
— Carolyn