On Friday, May 8, 2026, Ishanaé D. Pollard filed a notice of appeal in the Supreme Court of Ohio following a judgment by the Eighth District Court of Appeals. Pollard is appealing a decision related to case number CA-25-115921.
The appeal stems from a judgment entry by the Court of Appeals that dismissed Pollard’s complaint for a Writ of Prohibition. This writ was an original action commenced in the Court of Appeals, and the current appeal is taken as of right from a judgment rendered in that original action. Pollard is requesting the Supreme Court to reverse the Court of Appeals’ judgment and grant the requested writ of prohibition.
The underlying case involves Nicholas J. Celebrezze, a judge in the Court of Common Pleas, Juvenile Division, Cuyahoga County, Ohio, who is listed as the Respondent-Appellee. Desmond N. Thomas Sr. is named as the Real Party in Interest-Appellee.
The case originates from custody proceedings in the Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas, Juvenile Division, under case numbers FA18107850 and FA18107851. Pollard sought a writ of prohibition against Judge Celebrezze to prevent him from adjudicating custody issues regarding two minor children, arguing that under the Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act (UCCJEA), Judge Celebrezze lacks jurisdiction because the Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles, possesses exclusive jurisdiction over these custody proceedings.
However, the Court of Appeals dismissed Pollard’s complaint, referencing that the Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles, Case No. 25CMFL00519, has held that Ohio retains jurisdiction over the minor children in Cuyahoga County. The Court of Appeals determined there was no conflict under UCCJEA and that Judge Celebrezze does not patently and unambiguously lack jurisdiction. Judges Eileen A. Gallagher and Timothy W. Clary concurred with this decision.
A copy of the original filing can be found here.
