Arizona sisters forcibly removed from school by police after custody switch amid abuse allegations

Sophia Clever and her little sister in the hospital after suffering heat stroke in June being visited by a friend.Photo byFamily Friend

On August 29, two Arizona sisters were forcibly removed from their respective schools after a court ruling transferred custody from their mother to their father. The older sister, Sophia Clever, a freshman at Pinnacle High School, was pulled out of her honors geometry class. Audio of the incident, released on social media, captures her repeatedly crying, “Please don’t touch me.” Sophia’s younger sister was also removed from her class at Fireside Elementary School by police.

In an August 21 hearing, Maricopa County Judge Paula Williams stated in open court that she had no clear basis to remove custody from the girls’ mother, Deana Wyttenbach. Nevertheless, she awarded sole custody to the girls’ father, Dr. Todd Clever, and placed their mother on monitored visitation.

This decision came despite a temporary restraining order issued against Dr. Clever in June, after an incident in which he allegedly endangered the girls.

Incident in June

In June 2024, during a visitation, the girls were told by their father that they had to remain outside in temperatures of 112 degrees until they agreed to his new house rules, which included relinquishing their phones for the entire visit. When they refused, Sophia claims they were left outside for six hours, from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m., in the extreme heat. A family friend who witnessed the event confirmed this account.

The same witness also reported seeing Dr. Clever grab the younger daughter by her forearms, dragging her into his car before speeding toward the mother’s home. "I could see the girls were vomiting in their mother’s driveway, so I called 911," the friend told this reporter. The girls were transported to the hospital and treated for heat-related illnesses. The restraining order against Dr. Clever was issued the next day, according to records.

Just a week after this incident, a 10-year-old Arizona boy tragically died while hiking in 113-degree weather, underscoring the dangers of such extreme heat.

Sophia’s Story

Sophia, who has since gone public, shared the abuse she claims to have endured for years.

“I have suffered physical, emotional, and mental abuse from my father. He would bend my arms and wrists backward, slam my limbs in doorframes on purpose, leave me with bruises, hit and punch me, and scream inches from my face. He would sit on top of me during ‘time-outs’—he's 200-300 pounds heavier than me—and lock me in a dark closet, knowing I was terrified of the dark. I also witnessed horrific domestic violence against my mother. He broke her fingers, slammed her head into walls, tried to push her off a balcony, and punched and slapped her repeatedly. Despite multiple interventions from DCS, my case continues to be labeled ‘unsubstantiated.’ My sister and I both experienced this abuse, yet every time I’ve spoken to professionals, I’ve been told I’m lying. I have reported the abuse over and over, but no one believes me," Sophia said.

Background on the Case

Dr. Clever, an emergency room doctor, and Deana Wyttenbach, a nurse, were married for 23 years before divorcing in March 2021. Since then, they have shared 50/50 custody of their daughters, Sophia (now 14) and Madeline (now 10). Dr. Clever reportedly exercised about eight visitation days a month over the past three years, until the June 2024 incident, when the girls suffered a heat-related medical emergency during his visitation.

Court documents show that earlier this year, Dr. Clever and his attorney, Gregg Woodnick, requested that the girls be sent to Turning Points For Families Texas, a controversial reunification camp in Texas. Such camps have been outlawed in several states.

In Arizona, Senator Shawnna Bolick introduced Kayden’s Law (SB1372), which was signed into law in April 2024 and took effect on September 14, 2024. When asked on how the courts are applying Kayden’s Law, Senator Bolick stated in an email that she had notified the courts by letter shortly after the law's signing and plans to address them in person in the coming weeks

In March, Judge Williams ordered the girls to attend a different reunification camp, Intensive Family Transformations (IFT), according to court records, this one run in-state by Drs. Weinstock, Branton, and DiCarlo. Concerns about this decision were raised in a May 9 hearing, where members of the public attended to show support for Sophia and Madeline’s well-being. Allegedly, opposing counsel took down the names and numbers of the attendees and called them out in court. By May 29, Judge Williams barred the public from attending further hearings, despite no confidential information being discussed.

Kayden’s Law

Kayden’s Law, which went into effect on September 14, 2024, officially outlaws reunification camps and techniques in Arizona.

The next court hearing for the Clever case is scheduled for Thursday, October 17, 2024 Time: 1:30 PM (Pacific Time). Members of the public who wish to show support for Sophia and Madeline are encouraged to attend online via Microsoft Teams link here.

This is a developing story. Whistleblowers and victims of family court, CPS, probate court, foster care corruption, please contact this reporter at juliea005@proton.me.

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