Child Living With Lesbian Witches — Father (Press, 1 November 1982)
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Summary: Child Living With Lesbian Witches — Father (Press, 1 November 1982)
On 1 November 1982, a man named Tuan Tran, aged 32, was granted temporary custody of his daughter Purdy Rachel amidst alarming allegations regarding his estranged wife, Laura Tran, aged 26. Tuan filed documents in the Los Angeles Superior Court claiming that Laura resides in a mansion characterised by numerous mirrors and is allegedly associated with "lesbian witches." He expressed fears for Purdy's safety, stating that she was being exposed to witchcraft and occult practices. Tuan recounted an incident where Purdy returned home expressing negative sentiments about Jesus and his father, claiming, "Jesus is bad; daddy is bad," which he remarked was unusual for her. In response to his concerns, he had sought the intervention of a Catholic priest to perform a minor exorcism on his daughter. The couple had been married for five years before Laura filed for divorce on 5 August 1982. Court documents included sworn statements from two former neighbours and a babysitter, alleging that the Altadena home was inhabited by 13 women, which purportedly corresponds to the number necessary to form a witches' coven. The declarations painted a vivid and unsettling picture of the residence, including descriptions of grotesque decor such as a tapestry with a lizard's body and a woman’s head, as well as a witches' pentagram. In defence of Laura, a resident named Julie Nieman dismissed the allegations as absurd, asserting that nothing of the sort was happening in their home and expressing surprise at the claims made against them. Commissioner Robert Schnider presided over the case and ordered that Purdy be transferred immediately to her father's custody. He further prohibited Laura from taking Purdy to any locations with pit bull dogs, which Tuan believed were present in Laura's home. The dramatic nature of the case, along with its implications for family dynamics and welfare, captured considerable media attention.
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