Katie Wernecke's judge had conflict of interest

"Juvenile Court Judge Carl Lewis resigned Tuesday from the board of directors of Texas CASA, a statewide organization that advocates on behalf of abused and neglected children in the court system.

"Lewis said he resigned from the board to avoid potential conflicts of interest. CASA volunteers regularly represent children in cases heard in Lewis' court."

"Several other judges also have resigned from the board after a ruling from the Texas Commission on Judicial Conduct found a potential conflict with judges sitting on the CASA board and dealing with cases in which the organization represented a child."

"The commission's ruling came after a complaint was filed by the Texas Center for Family Rights in 2004. The group was critical of Lewis while he was presiding over the case of Katie Wernecke, a 13-year-old cancer patient whom Lewis placed in state custody after her parents resisted medical care." ...