A recent review by Anglican Watch of Cobb County, Georgia, court filings suggests further issues with Episcopal priest Ben Day and possible substance abuse, despite a previous Title IV clergy disciplinary complaint filed by this publication with the Episcopal Diocese of Atlanta.
The pro se filing by former parishioner Art Blackburn asks the courts to order Mallory Hamilton to undergo a Comprehensive Mental Health Evaluation, a Drug and Alcohol Evaluation, and monthly drug and alcohol testing. Additionally, Blackburn, a decorated war veteran, seeks custody of a biological son, Judah Christopher Blackburn, who he shares with Hamilton, the boy’s biological mother.
As a basis for these requests, Blackburn cites allegations that:
- Hamilton has removed Judah from the court’s jurisdiction without the 30-day notice required by the court.
- Hamilton failed to provide court-required notice of Judah’s sleeping arrangements.
Additionally, the filing states:
The home environment the minor child currently occupies is cohabitated by several individuals with a history of controlled substance and alcohol abuse with intent to distribute as documented by Kennesaw Police Department, Alabama law enforcement and courts, and Georgia Division of Family & Children Services. Medical records of Scottish Rite Children’s Hospital and Kennesaw Police Department records document an overdose of the Defendant’s minor daughter using controlled substances that were unsecured in the Defendant’s residence. The minor child at issue is now 28 months old and at risk for accidental drug or alcohol ingestion.”
Blackburn’s filing comes not long after the Anglican Watch complaint raised a variety of concerns about Day, including his apparent violation of a Cobb County court-ordered “Sobriety Plan,” which prohibits Day from consuming alcohol, illegal drugs, or prescription drugs absent a doctor’s prescription. The court order dates from August 19, 2019.
Specifically, social media posts by Day expressly state he has consumed alcohol — while traveling in Virginia with minor children in his custody.
Moreover, Anglican Watch is deeply concerned that Day, an Episcopal priest, allegedly is:
- Violating court orders requiring sobriety.
- Traveling with children while under the influence of alcohol.
- Allowing illicit drugs in his home.
Moreover, while our previous Title IV complaint need not result in discipline, it can and should, at a minimum, result in pastoral action by the Diocese of Atlanta to preempt a problem.
Thus, we have serious concerns that the Diocese of Atlanta and Bishop Rob Wright are not exercising appropriate episcopal supervision over Day.
The result, we fear, could be the death of one or more children, injury or death to third parties, and legal liability for the Diocese of Atlanta and Christ Church Kennesaw. (Think Ms. Personal-Accountability-Herself, deposed bishop Heather Cook, but with additional advance public warning.)
So, a couple of final points:
- In the event of overdose, injury, or death, Anglican Watch is happy to answer questions from law enforcement or plaintiff’s counsel about what the Diocese of Atlanta knew, who within the Diocese knew it, and when they knew it. Moreover, there is ample evidence that the Diocese knowingly placed children and the public at risk, despite myriad warnings that Ben Day is engaging in dangerous behavior.
- We remain deeply concerned about Day’s perjury about Art Blackburn before the Cobb County Courts, as well as his suborning of perjury by Mallory.
- For the record, the filing above was NOT provided to this publication by Art Blackburn. However, had he provided it, Blackburn would be well within his First Amendment rights, including his freedom of association.
In closing, it is imperative that the Diocese of Atlanta take issues with Ben Day seriously and take action. We further note that the Diocese and its personnel are mandated reporters under Georgia statute, and are required to report situations all situations that place children at risk.
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