Golder: I do not have mental health issues

CINCINNATI - Gwendolynn Golder came prepared for her Friday court hearing with law books in her bag and a ready argument for why the county had no right to take her two daughters away from her.

County caseworkers argued in court that Golder refused to go through with a mental health evaluation and that her "mental health issues" were the reasoning behind her losing custody of her children.

Golder contested, saying she had undergone an evaluation months ago at a local hospital.

"The hospital said there was nothing wrong and they let me go...they released me from the hospital," she said.

During the court hearing, Golder asked where her children were and was told that they had been placed in foster care.

She also requested visits with her children but the court denied those visits unless she would take the evaluation.

Once again, she refused.

"I have a right to say, 'No.' And I'm saying, 'No,'" she answered.

Golder was arrested last week for refusing to give her children 10-month-old Gisaiah Golder-Mumphrey and 2-year-old Gabriellemarie Gebrselassie over to caseworkers. She was arrested and placed in jail on a contempt charge for keeping tight lipped about the children whereabouts.

A family friend eventually turned the children over to one of their father's.

Golder is due back in court for trial in August. She is not allowed to have any contact with her children.