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PODCAST

Voices Against Filicide

Welcome to Voices Against Filicide, where Hope Hooton courageously shares her personal story of losing her two children to filicide at the hands of her estranged husband. Through her journey, this podcast shines a light on the silent epidemic of filicide—an often-overlooked tragedy rooted in custody battles, domestic violence, and untreated mental illness.Each episode will look a little different, Hope will be solo or inviting other parents and advocates to share their stories, break the silence,

true crime mental health

All Episodes

80:03

020: Silenced No More - A mother's battles against...

Voices Against Filicide ·

2026/03/18

Melissa is a Michigan mother and activist whose daughter was taken from her through the family court system. In this episode, she shares her story — from her daughter's father refusing to return her child in 2019, to her daughter disclosing sexual abuse at age three, to a system that repeatedly failed to protect them both.She also discusses the Rowan Act, legislation that would require law enforcement to intervene in parental kidnapping cases even without a custody order.Topics Covered:Parental

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55:11

019: Silenced No More - A mother's battle against the...

Voices Against Filicide ·

2026/03/18

Melissa is a Michigan mother and activist whose daughter was taken from her through the family court system. In this episode, she shares her story — from her daughter's father refusing to return her child in 2019, to her daughter disclosing sexual abuse at age three, to a system that repeatedly failed to protect them both.She also discusses the Rowan Act, legislation that would require law enforcement to intervene in parental kidnapping cases even without a custody order.Topics Covered:Parental

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0:54

There's Still Hope: A Journey of Adversity, Tragedy,...

Voices Against Filicide ·

2026/03/13

In this special update, Hope shares an important milestone — the release of her memoir, There’s Still Hope: A Journey of Adversity, Tragedy, and Unshakable FaithThis deeply personal book tells the story of Hope’s life, her unwavering faith, and the profound love she holds for her children, Alec and Lydia. Through unimaginable loss, Hope has transformed grief into purpose — advocating for child safety, raising awareness about filicide, and giving a voice to families through the Voices Against

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46:41

018: From Coercive Control to Crisis with Dr. Cocchiola

Voices Against Filicide ·

2026/03/04

In this episode of Voices Against Filicide, host Hope Hooton speaks with Dr. Cocchiola, a licensed psychologist specializing in high-risk mental health cases involving trauma and complex family systems.They discuss warning signs of coercive control, the dangers of untreated or poorly managed mental illness, and common misconceptions surrounding personality disorders. The conversation explores love bombing, Domestic Violence Restraining Orders (DVROs), and how abusive dynamics can escalate and

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61:32

017: Protecting Children in Family Court: Voices from...

Voices Against Filicide ·

2026/02/18

In this episode of Voices Against Filicide, host Hope Hooton sits down with Amber Snodgrass and Kandra Durfield, founders of Arizona Safe Parents, to discuss the urgent need for child safety reforms in the family court system.They share personal experiences navigating systemic failures, highlight issues like coercive control, judicial accountability, and trauma-informed mental health evaluations, and offer practical steps listeners can take to support legislative change.This episode is a call to

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53:23

016: Violence Prevention and Child Safety - A...

Voices Against Filicide ·

2026/02/04

In this episode, the host welcomes Dr. Katherine Spearman, assistant professor at Penn State’s Ross and Carol Nee College of Nursing and a member of the Child Maltreatment Solutions Network and the Center on Children and the Law.Dr. Spearman shares insights from her work in child welfare, violence prevention, and trauma support, exploring the critical connection between domestic violence and filicide. The conversation highlights the need for comprehensive risk assessment, stronger family court

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36:24

015: Protective Parents Michigan: Fighting for Child...

Voices Against Filicide ·

2026/01/20

In this impactful episode of Voices Against Filicide, Hope is joined by Geralyn Morris, founder of Protective Parents Michigan, and Nicole Massey, a domestic violence survivor, to discuss the systemic challenges that put children and survivors at risk.Key topics include:The failures of family courts in understanding domestic violence and risks of default 50/50 custodyNicole’s 13-year struggle navigating Wayne County family courtsThe importance of speaking out, joining support networks, and

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34:41

014: Filicide Beyond Borders - An Australian Advocate

Voices Against Filicide ·

2026/01/20

In this episode of Voices Against Filicide, Hope Hooton speaks with Amber, an Australian advocate working to make change and honor victims of filicide and medical child abuse.Amber shares how learning about five-year-old Garnett Spears led her to advocacy, highlighting red flags of medical child abuse and systemic failures that put children at risk.The conversation also examines the ongoing fight for justice for Macy Grace Diddy, the case of Gabriel Fernandez, and the shared challenges facing child

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39:30

013: Legislating for Child Safety: Family Court...

Voices Against Filicide ·

2026/01/20

Hope is joined by Representative Rachel Keshel from Arizona, who shares her personal journey into politics and a desire to protect children and improve family court systems. They discuss:Legislative efforts to reform family courts and address systemic failuresChallenges around judicial immunity and accountabilityThe role of faith in guiding advocacy and public serviceThe community impact of the late Charlie Kirk and the spiritual reflection it inspiredThroughout the conversation, Hope and Rachel

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88:24

012: Advocacy Born from Loss: Kayden’s Law and the...

Voices Against Filicide ·

2026/01/20

In this episode of Voices Against Filicide, host Hope Hooton is joined by Danielle Pollock, co-founder of the National Safe Parents Organization and Kathie Sherlock who is a mother who lost her daughter to filicide, they discuss their work in family court reform and child safety advocacy. Danielle explains the importance of Kayden’s Law, how it prioritizes child safety in custody decisions, and the systemic failures it aims to address.Listeners will hear how legislation can save lives, what families

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40:46

011: Rowan’s Legacy: Fighting for Children Through...

Voices Against Filicide ·

2026/01/20

In this deeply moving episode of Voices Against Filicide, host Hope Hooton sits down with Brandi Morey-Pols, mother of Rowan Morey-Pols, a child tragically lost to filicide. Brandi shares heartfelt memories of her son and the devastating impact of his death, shedding light on the systemic failures that contributed to this tragedy.The conversation explores:Brandi’s journey of grief and healing with her husbandThe creation of the Rowan Act, designed to reform the Amber Alert system in MichiganThe

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2:21

Voices Against Filicide Season One: From Awareness to...

Voices Against Filicide ·

2026/01/09

SEASON TWO DROPS JANUARY 20th SUBSCRIBE TODAYThis bonus episode recaps Season One of Voices Against Filicide, a podcast created to raise awareness about filicide and the systemic failures that too often surround it. As we prepare for Season Two, we honor the voices that were heard—and commit to doing more.This trailer reflects on the stories, lessons, and lives that shaped the first season, and sets the stage for what comes next as we continue the fight for awareness and change.Connect with Hope

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71:04

Season One Recap: Live Q&A and Merch Giveaway

Voices Against Filicide ·

2025/12/20

This episode covers a TikTok Live event featuring Hope, the creator behind 'Voices Against Filicide,' a podcast aiming to raise awareness about the tragic phenomenon of filicide, the murder of a child by a parent or caregiver. The event includes discussions about the emotional rawness of the podcast, Hope's personal story of losing her children Alec and Lydia in 2024, and her advocacy efforts, including the upcoming Alec and Lydia Act in Arizona aimed at reforming family court laws to better protect

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1:36

Mark Your Calendar: Live Episode, Q&A, and Free Merch

Voices Against Filicide ·

2025/11/17

✨ Special Announcement ✨While Season 2 of Voices Against Filicide is coming in the new year, we’re not waiting to connect with you. On December 3rd, I’ll be hosting a LIVE podcast taping on TikTok at @HopeInThePain — and you’re invited.We’ll record an entire episode together, open the floor for Q&A, and give away free merch to show our gratitude for this community.To enter the giveaway, simply leave a 5-star rating and review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts. And then send us a screenshot so we can

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26:49

The Skelton Brothers: A Case of Unresolved Tragedy...

Voices Against Filicide ·

2025/11/15

In this episode, Hope revisits one of the most heartbreaking missing children cases in recent history: the disappearance of the Skelton brothers — Andrew, Alexander, and Tanner — who vanished over Thanksgiving weekend in 2010. Host Hope Hooton walks listeners through the chilling timeline leading up to their disappearance, the deeply troubled family situation surrounding the case, and the emotional aftermath that has lingered for more than a decade. Recently, a major development has shaken the case:

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17:01

010: Filicide in Port Huron - The Smerer Family Tragedy

Voices Against Filicide ·

2025/10/29

In today's episode, Hope Hooton, a mother and advocate, shares raw and emotional firsthand accounts of families impacted by the murder of children by parents or caregivers. This episode recounts the tragic events of September 11, 2025, in Port Huron, Michigan, where three siblings, Kayleb, Bentley, and Kinzley, were shot by their father, Jeffrey James Smerer. Kayleb did not survive, while Bentley and Kinzley sustained severe injuries. The podcast urges for better mental health services and child

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26:07

009: Breaking the Silence: Understanding Abuse and...

Voices Against Filicide ·

2025/10/15

In this deeply emotional episode of 'Voices Against Filicide,' host Hope Hooton shares her personal journey of abuse and unimaginable loss, honoring her late children Alec and Lydia. Hope delves into the cycle of abuse, learned helplessness, codependency, and the dangerous link between domestic violence and filicide. Offering vital resources and practical advice, this episode seeks to empower and assist those trapped in abusive situations to find safety and support. Trigger warning: this episode

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34:13

008: Walking Beside the Brokenhearted - Friendship...

Voices Against Filicide ·

2025/10/01

In this deeply emotional episode of 'Voices Against Filicie,' host Hope Hooton, who has personally experienced the tragedy of losing her children Alec and Lydia to filicide, welcomes her long-time friend, Lauren Webb.Together, they discuss their lifelong friendship, the unimaginable loss of Alec and Lydia, and the red flags in Hope's marriage that preceded the tragedy. They also talk about their efforts to raise awareness about filicide, the support systems they've leaned on, and the importance of

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11:02

007: A Tragic Tale from Huntsville

Voices Against Filicide ·

2025/09/17

In this emotionally charged episode of Voices Against Filide, host Hope Hooton shares the harrowing story of a tragic filicide that occurred in Huntsville, Alabama, in August 2025. The episode explores the raw and painful experiences of those affected, including the first-hand accounts from a grieving community. Hope honors her own children, Alec and Lydia, and underscores the critical need for awareness and action against filicide. Listeners are educated on the warning signs and risk factors

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28:58

006: Warning Signs

Voices Against Filicide ·

2025/09/03

TRIGGER WARNING This podcast contains deeply disturbing content, including firsthand accounts from parents and family members who have lost children to familicide—the murder of a child by a parent or caregiver. The stories are raw, emotional, and include details of immense loss, system failures, and trauma. Listeners are advised to take care, and may pause or stop the podcast if needed.Connect with Hope Hooton:Email: hopeinthepain@gmail.comInstagram:

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