On Saturday, August 2, 2025, the Sun Sentinel reported that prosecutors have dropped a criminal investigation into Broward Judge Kristin Kanner concerning an alleged “unlawful child pick-up order.” The decision was communicated in a letter sent to Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, stating that the complaint did not indicate any violations of criminal law.
Governor DeSantis had referred the investigation to the State Attorney’s Office for the 20th Judicial Circuit in Southwest Florida to prevent any potential conflicts of interest, given Kanner’s previous role with the Broward State Attorney’s Office. Deputy Chief Assistant State Attorney Shannon Doolity began the investigation in late June but concluded just over a month later that the allegations were not sufficient to warrant further action under state criminal statutes.
Kanner, appointed by DeSantis in 2023, has been serving in the Family Court division of the Broward Circuit Court for the past two years. The complaint originated from a parent dissatisfied with an order Kanner had issued regarding their child. Despite the order being lawful, such disputes are frequently encountered in family court, as noted by Kanner’s attorney, Gregg Rossman.
Rossman emphasized the challenges judges face in family court, stating, “It’s the toughest division to be in.” He pointed out that judges often have to make difficult decisions related to child custody, which can lead to dissatisfaction from involved parties.
Following the complaint, Kanner recused herself from the case. Rossman mentioned that Kanner was not initially informed of the complaint, which resulted in her remaining on the case longer than she should have.
Source: Sun Sentinel
