On November 19, 2025, Reverend John W. Stone and Shirley D. Stone filed an emergency motion in the United States District Court for the District of Arizona, seeking immediate injunctive relief to rescue and release their three minor grandchildren. This filing follows a wrongful death and civil rights lawsuit brought last week against a broad group of defendants, including state officials, law enforcement, and private parties.
Trauma, Loss, and Urgency
Behind the legal filings and court motions lies a deeply personal and heartbreaking story. The emergency motion filed by Reverend John W. Stone and Shirley D. Stone is not just a plea for legal remedy—it is a desperate call to protect three vulnerable children and to seek justice for a family shattered by tragedy.
Children in Crisis
The three minor children at the center of this case have endured nearly two years of unlawful detention, separated from their father, who was their full custodial parent. Two of the children are autistic, making them especially susceptible to emotional and psychological harm. The motion describes their abduction as a “grave threat to their safety and well-being,” emphasizing that every day they remain in unlawful custody compounds the trauma and violates their fundamental rights.
The Loss of a Parent
The filings recount the tragic death of Timothy Paul Stone, the children’s father, who died while desperately trying to rescue his children. The emotional toll on the family is profound: the grandparents not only lost their son but have been fighting tirelessly to protect their grandchildren from further harm. The motion links the stress and anguish of the abduction directly to the father’s untimely death, underscoring the devastating ripple effects of the alleged crimes.
Ongoing Trauma and Urgency
The document highlights that kidnapping is not a one-time event but a “continuing offense.” Every moment the children remain separated from their family is a new violation, intensifying the urgency for court intervention. The motion argues that “false imprisonment for even one second is a grave civil rights violation,” and calls for immediate action to prevent further emotional and psychological damage.
Barriers to Justice
The filings also detail the frustration and helplessness experienced by the family as officials and law enforcement allegedly failed to act, despite repeated notifications and valid court orders. This lack of intervention has left the children not only physically endangered but also deprived of their right to participate in legal proceedings that could secure their future and well-being.
A Plea for Protection
Ultimately, the Stones’ emergency motion is a plea for the court to recognize the urgent human stakes: the safety, liberty, and emotional health of three children, and the right of a grieving family to seek justice and healing. The outcome of this case will have lasting consequences for the children’s future and for the broader principle that courts must act swiftly to protect the most vulnerable.
See The Human Impact Shown in Stone’s Emergency Filing
