Does career interfere with parenting?
Sparks' McGee ordered to turn over child to husband
Posted: Thursday September 17, 1998 11:25 AM
MOUNT CLEMENS, Michigan (AP) -- A player for the WNBA's Los Angeles Sparks has been ordered to turn her 3-year-old daughter over to her ex-husband while court officials decide whether her basketball career interferes with her parenting.
Pamela McGee, a mother of two and a starting forward for the Sparks, said the court is punishing her because she plays basketball.
Macomb County Chief Circuit Judge Peter J. Maceroni ruled this week that McGee's ex-husband, the Rev. Kevin E. Stafford of Mount Clemens, will have temporary custody of their daughter, Imani, while a Friend of the Court investigation is pending.
Stafford's lawyer, Peter Lucido of Mount Clemens, said Imani missed her first day of preschool Tuesday because McGee has delayed returning her to her father.
"This child cannot be on the road with a parent. It's totally against any good parenting skills," Lucido told The Macomb Daily. "Anyone with intelligence can concede if she's with her mother on the road she can't be in school, or develop bonds with anyone."
McGee, 35, has been staying with her family in Flint during the off-season. She has two residences, one in Los Angeles and another in Sacramento, California.
Until the court renders its decision, Imani is not to be taken out of Michigan. McGee may have to return to California for team-related functions as early as next month, the newspaper reported.
Friend of the Court officials will investigate what affect, if any, McGee's obligations as a WNBA player may have on her role as a parent.
Stafford, who is senior pastor at Greater Morning Star Missionary Baptist Church in Mount Clemens, could not be reached for comment.
Sparks spokeswoman Stacey Terrien said she was surprised by Maceroni's ruling.
"This is the first time that has ever come up," Terrien said. "I'm not sure how you couldn't be a stable environment when the WNBA season's only three months out of the year. Also, half the games are at home."
McGee, who grew up in Flint, is a former U.S. Olympic basketball player. Stafford filed for divorce in 1995 and McGee returned to basketball as a career after her divorce became final.
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