Utah Mother Wants Family Court Reforms After Son Was Murdered

Leah Moses fondly recalls her son’s harmonious connection with the world during his childhood. Described as calm and wise beyond his years, Om Gandhi had a passion for playing the saxophone and was always attentive to the well-being of his mother and sister, according to her.

“He was always calm and peaceful,” Moses said.

Last year, Om, 16, tragically lost his life at the hands of his father Parth Gandhi, after a long and contentious child custody battle involving him and his sister. According to Salt Lake City police, Parth Gandhi tragically ended his own life.

In her first public statement about her son’s passing, Moses expressed her hope that this heartbreaking incident will encourage lawmakers to advocate for reform in Utah’s family court system. Moses strongly believes that courts should place a greater emphasis on child safety when making custody decisions, as evidenced by her former husband being granted full custody of the boy a year before his unfortunate passing.

She is calling on Utah lawmakers to back a proposed bill that aims to enhance training for judges and establish the requirement for them to take into account evidence of domestic violence in custody rulings, along with other proposed modifications.

Critics argue that the proposal may result in the exclusion of crucial evidence in these cases, deeming it an excessive correction. One of the critics is a family law attorney who previously represented Om’s father.

Lawyer Scott Wiser reached out to lawmakers on a judiciary panel set to discuss the bill, urging them to vote against it. According to Wiser, the courts possess the necessary tools to thoroughly examine claims of domestic violence.

According to Sen. Mike McKell, R-Spanish Fork, the proposed changes aim to improve Utah’s courts by promoting best practices and acknowledging widely accepted scientific knowledge regarding child wellbeing.

Last year, prior to her son’s passing, Moses actively participated in a gathering at the state Capitol, where she voiced her support for comparable reforms. Introducing the latest measure, now known as “Om’s Law.”