Disputed custody, judicial bias claims, and upcoming hearings Interview dated “July 10th, 2026” with David Cortinas and Mother Autumn Borley about a high-conflict custody case involving three children now living with their father, “Frank Humphries,” and his wife “Jennifer Humphries.”
Key themes: alleged judicial bias and procedural irregularities in Garfield County, Washington; father’s criminal history and expected federal prison sentence; mother’s efforts to demonstrate stability and sobriety; recent grant of de facto status to the stepmother; and planned media scrutiny before upcoming hearings.
Participants and Roles
Key player in the complaint is the mother “Autumn Borley” who remarried in 2021 and is not currently employed full-time; but as been working on a court-related request and resells items online and assists her contractor husband.
The father of the 3 children father “Frank Humphries” who has a long criminal history and expected to serve a federal sentence and the stepmother or new wife “Jennifer Humphries” recently de facto status; intermittent flagger work; runs “Blue Bridge Project”.
Children all 3 are under the age of 18 the oldest daughter age 16, sons age 14 and 12. Judge Burke Burns who has been handling the case for Garfield/Columbia/Asotin counties in Eastern Washington and Autumn Borley along with her family and mother say the Judge has been very bias.
Background and Custody History
The Humphries original divorce and custody in 2017. Father allegedly had extensive domestic violence and criminal history; early orders imposed strict restrictions (RCW (Revised Code of Washington) “191” referenced regarding mandatory limitations).
Mother moved to Garfield County; parties went to mediation. Mother says father never met mandatory requirements from prior orders and argues there were no written findings in removing restrictions. In 2023: Judge awarded custody to father after mother withheld visitation upon learning of a new arrest in Franklin County. Mother says she filed paperwork explaining refusal due to safety concerns; court swiftly transferred children to father “took them two hours to get the kids out of the house”.
Father’s Criminal Status and Allegations
Mother reports that father was “raided by federal agents” for “manufacturing meth, fentanyl, ghost guns”; where there was much press coverage and in the local newspaper Tri-City Herald was cited. She holds a plea agreement copy and states he agreed to “no less than 10 years” and that hHe is “going to jail” was to be in August (possibly “August 4th”; dates reportedly moved multiple times); federal case pending.
Speculation raised by family and her former attorneys that he may be a “confidential informant” and that explains leniency; DEA (Drug Enforcement Administration) contact refused details due to ongoing case.
Current Custody/Visitation, Children’s Status, and Environment
All three children live with father and stepmother; mother’s contact is either supervised or prohibited depending on orders discussed. Mother reports supervised visitation logs from multiple supervisors (e.g., “Hopin family” licensed supervisor, others) indicating the children repeatedly said they want to return to their mother Autumn and not happy where they are living, they miss their mother, Autumn also says that she “hasn’t seen these kids in almost two years” at times and that access has been restricted in the past, when Autumn says she is complying with courts wishes and demands.
It was reported in the media that the youngest of the 3 children’s that the 12-year-old (“Max”) made a “bomb threat at the school” and now faces a felony; mother says this reflects they are not “doing well.”
Home/safety claims: mother cites police comments about past “bullet holes” in father’s car/house and a household with frequent police calls; CPS (Child Protective Services) reportedly rated father’s home “moderately high for abuse.”
Mother’s Evidence of Stability and Sobriety
Testing and clearances: mother reports “five hair follicles,” “three random drug tests,” hospital and lood tests; CPS “cleared” her home; police searched her house “five times” with nothing found. She says supervised visit reports support children’s wish to return home.
Assessments: multiple behavioral/mental health assessments (she says “four” in total) with clearance noted. She alleges the GAL discounted or mischaracterized results; GAL demanded repeated testing and specific panels/providers (e.g., switch to Valley Drug Testing), changing requirements.
Employment and support: remarried in 2021; husband is a contractor doing side jobs; mother does administrative work with him and planned a month-long Wyoming job. She resells items online and referenced reinstating a cosmetology license, yet later said she currently “doesn’t have a license,” citing child-support complications.
Concerns About Court Process and Officers
Judge Burns: alleged personal hostility; mother claims judge punished her for not following a visitation order; permitted father/stepmother to call in while requiring mother to appear; allegedly initiated contempt and child-support actions resulting in license suspension; allegedly recused then returned to the case; allegedly blocked filings via the clerk and limited mother’s social-media postings for two weeks. Mother quotes the judge as saying, “I can do whatever I want.” A Commission on Judicial Conduct (CJC) inquiry was mentioned by the group.
GAL Kendra Lofsky (Guardian ad litem): alleged failure to investigate, bias toward father/stepmother, discouraging contact with her, releasing records to third parties without a release, and not documenting or acting on children’s statements made during supervised visits; GAL reportedly demanded $1,000–$4,000 for records despite county copy-fee policies.
CPS (Child Protective Services): mother says CPS told her she was “completely safe” and that the children should not be at father’s home, but CPS cannot overrule a family court judge.
Sheriff: mother claims Garfield County Sheriff falsely testified there was a drug investigation at her home (attorney’s investigator was reportedly told none existed). Mother notes the sheriff’s recent conviction for trespassing and pattern of camera nonuse. Stepmother Jennifer Humphries and Related Allegations De facto status granted “last month on the 9th” (June 9, 2026). Mother argues this misapplies with de facto parent doctrine (typically for a long-term parenting figure from birth).
Employment/activities: sometimes a flagger; currently “at home with Max” per mother. Runs “Blue Bridge Project,” which mother claims was dissolved in 2004 yet still operates; later says it is now “registered.” Social media presence noted.
Autumn Borley alleges prior loss of 3–4 children to an ex-husband for emotional/mental abuse; a past assault on Autumn when pregnant; domestic violence (e.g., grabbing her own daughter by the neck); and frequent calls to police and DOC (Department of Corrections) to make allegations about Autumn. Mother also describes inappropriate communication to her daughter regarding “Papa” (grandfather/stepfather) dying.
Legal Proceedings and Key Dates
Appeals: “two cases in appeals” (Spokane) and “one case in our Supreme” (Washington Supreme Court). Mother was advised her appeals raised “too many procedural errors” rather than focusing on the top three.
Reporter David Cortinas was not in the Garfield County Court room on the date August 19th pre-trial but will be on September 1st, case.
Father’s sentencing: said to be in August (possibly was “August 4th”) but was moved to a new date and according the Autumn acknowledged that he made a plea deal “for no less than 10 years” in his plea.
Procedural Issues Cited by Mother
Alleged noncompliance with RCW 26.09.191 restrictions and lack of written findings removing father’s restrictions. Abusive litigation order reportedly justified as a way to stop her appeals.
Restraining orders: Walla Walla judge reportedly dismissed/criticized one; later refiled and reinstated in Garfield County; stepmother granted guardianship; mother barred from contacting children or attending their events.
Child support: mother says judge (not the state agency) initiated contempt against her, did not offset against father’s alleged arrears, and suspended her license. Evidentiary and hearing conduct: alleged last-minute evidence by stepmother; mother’s objections limited; unannounced witnesses; mother told she was “interrupting.”
Additional Notable Points
Mother says CPS/police repeatedly cleared her home (including dog-related checks) and found no drugs; she allowed searches to show transparency. Mother reports children were barred from attending there grandfather’s funeral Frank, significant emotional impact, especially for “Max,” who was close to “Papa.”
Community/corruption context mentioned: “Corey White” (former county staff) reportedly exposed local financial/tax issues and procurement scandals; recent arrests for embezzlement cited; speculation of broader county issues.
Investigated reporter David Cortinas can be reached at (509)539-2753 or via email at; lavoz@bmi.net keep in mind this was an interview and information was given by the mother Autumn Borley and a new report will be after the September 1, court and also will be trying to talk to the father of the 3 children and stepmother Jennefer Humphries who has alleged that the Newspaper La Voz has not done a complete investigation. La Voz has always had doors open to talk to all persons involved in this case concerning the 3 children.
