EDITOR’S INTRODUCTION: In a chilling case of judicial retaliation and systemic failure, Orange County Superior Court Judge Kimberly Carasso stripped quadriplegic mother Taran Nolan—known publicly as “Tar” and “Taran Strong”—of custody of her children on April 16, 2025. Nolan, a paralyzed mother of four and survivor of catastrophic abuse, was simultaneously gagged, silenced, and smeared by the same court that ignored overwhelming evidence of her ex-husband James Nolan’s years of neglect, abuse, and coercive control.
The case reveals a disturbing pattern: more than 20 witnesses—including spinal injury experts, former caregivers, neighbors, friends, and even private investigators—provided credible, firsthand accounts of abuse and abandonment. Yet Judge Carasso dismissed their testimony, instead adopting James Nolan’s narrative wholesale, claims often unsupported, refuted by witnesses, or directly contradicted by video evidence.
In one of the most outrageous findings, Judge Carasso ruled that Taran Nolan—a woman unable to lift her arms—was the “primary aggressor,” claiming she attempted to “ram” her children and husband with her wheelchair. This claim, along with allegations of “break-ins” and violence, collapsed under scrutiny when compared to video footage and eyewitness accounts.
Simultaneously, Judge Carasso targeted journalist Julie M. Anderson Holburn, who had reported on the Nolan case, threatening sanctions, mistrial, and court closures after her investigative pieces exposed the court’s misconduct. When Holburn filed her own legal case, Judge Carasso refused to recuse herself, raising serious concerns regarding First Amendment and judicial ethics.
The case against Taran Nolan represents a brutal betrayal of the disabled, vulnerable, and voiceless, enabled by a judiciary more focused on controlling public perception than delivering justice. It exposes how courts can weaponize false narratives, silence victims, and punish independent journalism that dares to challenge them.
This comprehensive exposé by Julie M. Anderson Holburn is part of a broader investigation into systemic abuses in Orange County’s family court system, a system already under fire for ignoring abuse allegations, enabling parental alienation, and retaliating against whistleblowers. Taran Nolan’s story is not an anomaly—it is a warning of what happens when power protects itself at the expense of truth.
A Court Ruling That Echoes Far Beyond One Case – Court of Rumors, Not Law
On April 16, 2025, Orange County Judge Kimberly Carasso issued a final ruling in Nolan v. Nolan that stripped quadriplegic mother Taran Nolan (known as “Tar” and “Taran Strong” on Facebook) of custody and issued a five-year restraining order in favor of her ex-husband, James Nolan. The ruling, filled with unsupported, unbelievable and inflammatory allegations and glaring contradictions, has become a disturbing window into the deeply dysfunctional, retaliatory, and corrupt operations of the Orange County District Attorney’s office and the Orange County Superior Court’s family law division. This is part seven in the series on the Nolan v. Nolan case. Readers are encouraged to read the first six articles linked at the end of this article.
This is the kind of case that demands national attention—like the Dirty John saga, which also unfolded in Orange County.
This ruling didn’t just target a disabled mother. It also took direct aim at a member of the press—this journalist—who has been investigating and reporting on the case since before July 2024, attending hearings both in person and via livestream, and conducting firsthand interviews.
The court then ignored and belittled those very witnesses—whose sworn accounts directly contradicted its findings. Documents show court-appointed custody evaluator Dr. Keith Peterson received well over 20 witness statements and multiple credible reports. Yet Dr. Peterson only cited 3 references for Tar in his final report, omitting evidence that contradicted James Nolan’s claims.
Taran Nolan Court Abuse: A Quadriplegic Mother Silenced
Taran Nolan—a public figure, a devoted mother of four, and widely admired by other moms in her community—became a quadriplegic after a catastrophic car accident on September 10, 2020, while visiting South Carolina.
The crash also claimed the life of her youngest daughter, Micki Valentine.
Documents obtained and witness accounts indicate that neglect and abuse were present well before the accident—and only worsened afterward. Tar remains completely dependent on others for everything—everything. Rather than supporting his disabled wife or caring for their young children, her ex-husband James Nolan allegedly launched a years-long campaign of neglect, abuse, exploitation, isolation, manipulation, and a social media smear campaign.
After the accident, the family remained in South Carolina until January 2021. Friends report that James significantly limited, or outright refused, visits to Taran from October through January. Then, they abruptly returned to Orange County, California. From 2020 through 2022, Taran was repeatedly hospitalized, in and out of physical rehabilitation centers, suffering complications and severe health setbacks attributed to inadequate care.
By Mother’s Day, May 8, 2022, Taran’s condition had deteriorated so severely that friends and professionals warned her to either replace her caregiver or leave. Reportedly, James refused to hire a professional caregiver.
May 5, 2022: Tar’s caregiver left on vacation without being paid and did not return due to lack of compensation.
May 8, 2022: Mother’s Day.
May 9, 2022: Lexi Lewis stepped in to provide care for Tar, after four days of abandonment and weeks of no actual bathing.
May 17, 2022: Tar checked into a hotel.
May 19, 2022: Tar returned to the family home to retrieve medical supplies, clothes, and cash from her cat business.
May 29, 2022: Tar again returned to retrieve clothing and personal items.
June 15, 2022: Tar’s 350-pound wheelchair tipped going down a ramp at the side door of a neighborhood sports bar—where James had driven their children to meet her.
June 17, 2022: Tar returned to retrieve more belongings, only to find the entry gate again zip-tied and the locks changed.
June 27, 2022: James Nolan filed for a Domestic Violence Restraining Order (DVRO) against Tar, significantly misrepresenting the May and June events.
June 29, 2022: Tar filed for divorce and a counter-DVRO.
Multiple close witnesses—including caregivers, friends, and even former allies of James—along with documents obtained by this reporter, describe a woman physically incapacitated, reliant on others for basic survival, and suffering from a pattern of emotional abuse, financial control, sexual misconduct, and chronic neglect.
Despite this context, documents obtained reveal Judge Kimberly Carasso’s April 16, 2025 ruling found Taran Nolan to be the “primary aggressor.” The ruling cited claims that she “attempted to ram” James and their children with her wheelchair on June 15, 2022; impersonated her daughter on social media; instructed others to commit assaults and break-ins on her behalf; and violated a questionably obtained temporary DVRO.
None of these allegations were corroborated by independent witnesses. They contradict multiple interviews conducted by this reporter. Orange County Family Court refused to hear from most of Taran Nolan’s witnesses, and either dismissed, belittled, or mischaracterized the sworn testimony of those who were allowed to speak.
Taran Nolan Court Abuse: Medical Expert Refutes Court’s Fantasy of a Violent Quadriplegic
Judge Kimberly Carasso’s ruling painted Taran Nolan as an aggressor—someone physically dangerous and emotionally unstable.But before any other witness stepped forward, a medical expert who knew her condition intimately was already prepared to tell a very different story.
“It wouldn’t even be a slap, you know what I mean?” said Jason Wanstreet. “Not to make light of it, but I work with her, and I know—it’s a big stretch. For a guy like Jimmy Nolan, who was like an ex-boxer, to say he’s terrified of his wife who can’t move, who has a TBI and spinal cord injury? That’s absurd.”
Jason Wanstreet is a certified spinal cord injury (SCI) recovery specialist, strength and conditioning expert, and kinesiologist. He has worked with Taran Nolan for close to four years—first in a clinical setting, and later at her home after COVID-19 closures.
Wanstreet was prepared to testify in court—spending four to five days in the Orange County courthouse during the January and February 2025 hearings—but was never called.
He remains unsure whether his written statement was even entered into the court record.
In both his written declaration to the court-appointed evaluator and his interview with this reporter, Wanstreet offered a harrowing account of what he witnessed inside the Nolan household.
“Her catheter bag was very rarely changed,” he stated. “The proper equipment for securing and supporting the catheter was rarely present. A chip-bag clip was used to attach the catheter hose to her clothes, rather than the proper adhesive or Velcro strap.”
He also saw duct tape used in place of medical tape on delicate tubing.
“That’s incredibly harsh on the skin,” he said. “These devices require specific materials for a reason. This kind of care isn’t just inadequate—it’s dangerous.”
Wanstreet routinely found Taran still in bed, unchanged and unbathed, during afternoon visits.
“She’d be wearing the same clothes as two days before. She hadn’t been moved or cleaned. That’s a major red flag. People with spinal cord injuries who don’t get repositioned or cared for develop pressure sores that lead to infection—and death. That’s how Christopher Reeve died.”
“This isn’t about smelling good or fresh laundry,” Wanstreet added. “It’s about life and death.”
He said he nearly reported James Nolan for elder and disability abuse.
“I’m a mandated reporter. If she had stayed there, I would have had to report him. The only reason I didn’t was because she left—she was finally out from under his care.”
Taran Nolan Court Abuse: Neglect, Control, and Isolation
Abuse of spinal cord injury patients, Wanstreet said, is far more common than people realize.
“It happens a lot. These people are at the mercy of their caregivers. They can’t move. If they’re not getting proper care—or worse, if there’s sexual abuse—it can be fatal. I have to be very diligent with my clients about that.”
Asked directly about the court’s finding that Tar was the “primary aggressor,” Wanstreet didn’t hesitate.
“It’s 100% ridiculous. Almost laughable.”
“It’s ridiculous because it’s impossible,” he said. “I could put my hand up and say, ‘Hey, punch me here,’ and she couldn’t do it. She had almost no arm function back then. She couldn’t even pick up a crayon to color. She couldn’t roll over in bed. Couldn’t feed herself.”
“For the court to say she was the aggressor against an ex-boxer? It’s outrageous.”
Her Condition Post-Separation: A Story of Survival
Wanstreet described Taran’s caregiving environment at the marital home:
“He wasn’t taking care of her. He’d still be asleep at 3 in the afternoon. I’d show up and it was obvious—she hadn’t been moved, hadn’t been fed. That’s when I started warning her: ‘You need another caregiver. You’re not safe.’”
“Not getting her out of bed, isolating her, not bathing her, not cleaning the catheter or colostomy bags—there are a million things that can go wrong. These kinds of neglect lead to infection and death.”
He added that James Nolan’s behavior became increasingly controlling:
“Then she told me he was taking her phone, not letting her leave the room.”
After Taran left the marital home in May 2022, Wanstreet continued to care for her—paying for her hotel room, hygiene supplies, and food when she had no money left.
“She was alone and without money. I did it because I knew she wouldn’t survive otherwise.”
Today, Taran’s condition has dramatically improved.
“She can get in and out of bed. She can walk short distances with a walker. She’s mentally stronger. That progress came after she left Jimmy.”
Wanstreet ended with a warning few outside the SCI community ever hear:
“Too often, spinal cord injury patients are abandoned. They’re left to deteriorate. They die young. That’s why I do this work—to change those statistics.”
Even as medical experts like Jason Wanstreet documented Taran Nolan’s vulnerability and the neglect she endured, a far more insidious tactic unfolded behind the scenes: a calculated campaign to discredit her character—and ultimately to rewrite the narrative.
Taran Nolan Court Abuse: James Nolan Text to Tar’s Friend Group. May 18, 2022.
Rumors Passed Off as Fact: The Campaign to Discredit a Disabled Mother
Text messages. Smear tactics. Mischaracterizations of trauma. A deliberate campaign of narrative control emerges.
Immediately after Taran Nolan relocated to a hotel in May 2022, James Nolan sent a text message to a group chat of friends.
In it, he launched a character assault, disparaging Tar while painting himself as the devoted, exhausted husband and caregiver.
The text, obtained by this reporter, marked the beginning of a sustained smear campaign—one that would later echo in courtroom allegations and official declarations.
It wasn’t rooted in facts or medical assessments. It was rooted in control of the narrative.
Impression Management in the Context of Intimate Partner Violence
Perpetrators of intimate partner violence often engage in impression management—the deliberate manipulation of how others perceive them—to hide abuse, discredit victims, and preserve their social standing.
Rather than accept accountability, abusers frequently reframe themselves as victims and portray the true survivor as unstable or dangerous.
James Nolan’s text, sent on May 18, 2022—just one day after Taran Nolan escaped his neglect—reflected classic impression management tactics.
By rushing to brand Tar as “crazy” and “a drunk” to her closest supporters, James attempted to sabotage her credibility before she could share her truth.
This strategic character assassination is a hallmark of coercive control.
Taran Nolan Court Abuse: Contradicted by Evidence and Testimony
Despite Taran having no history of drug or alcohol abuse, James’s messaging framed her as unstable and irresponsible.
Witnesses interviewed for this article—including medical professionals, caretakers, and family friends—confirmed the opposite.
Corey Morin, the family’s longtime business associate and caregiver, was unequivocal:
“Is she an alcoholic or drug addict? No.
Did she consume alcohol socially? Yes.
Never in excess.”
Another caregiver, Lexi Lewis, described a woman struggling not with addiction, but with abandonment and profound medical neglect.
Online Amplification and Legal Adoption
The smear campaign expanded online, where third-party individuals affiliated with James Nolan shared misleading or false characterizations of Tar’s behavior.
Rumors circulated that she was violent, abusive, or manipulating others to harass her ex-husband—claims that appeared in legal filings but were never substantiated by evidence.
Several people who knew Taran before and after her injury described the same pattern:
“He controlled the story.
He made her look unstable while she was literally immobile,” said one source under condition of anonymity.
“It was a setup.”
The court’s failure to interrogate these claims—or even verify basic facts—allowed rumors to be passed off as evidence.
By the time Judge Kimberly Carasso issued her final ruling, the smear campaign had become canon—baked into a decision that dismissed over 20 firsthand witness accounts and extensive medical documentation.
1 of 3 HEANEY INVESTIGATIVE SERVICES Report. October 7, 2024.
2 of 3 HEANEY INVESTIGATIVE SERVICES Report. October 7, 2024.
3 of 3 HEANEY INVESTIGATIVE SERVICES Report. October 7, 2024.
Private Investigator Report Reveals Possible Stalking and Restraining Order Violations by James “Jimmy” Nolan
In an interview with this reporter, Brian Heaney, of Specialized Risk Control—a 30-year law enforcement veteran, former Orange County Sheriff’s investigator, and licensed private investigator (CA Lic. #26171)—outlined a disturbing pattern of behavior by James “Jimmy” Nolan, including alleged harassment, intimidation, and stalking of not just Taran Nolan, but also her closest friends and advocates.
Heaney was independently hired in June 2024 by Ellen Taylor and Lesley Takao, two of Tar’s closest friends. Their goal was simple: determine whether the children were safe, whether James Nolan was indeed in Orange County, and assess the risks facing Tar and those around her. Heaney’s findings, compiled in an investigative report dated October 7, 2024, raised serious red flags.
“They were extremely concerned about her security,” Heaney wrote, referencing late-night disturbances at Tar’s home that followed suspicious social media activity by Jimmy—who had posted “check-ins” at locations near homes of Tar’s known supporters.
“The same night Jimmy ‘checked in’ in Tennessee,” Heaney noted, “there was a disturbance at the rear of TARAN’S property while she was alone, and her dog barked on and off all night.”
Although Nolan’s social media showed check-ins from Tennessee, South Carolina, and Texas, Heaney’s investigation confirmed he was actually in Orange County, California, with at least two of the couple’s children. These false location tags, Heaney determined, were likely a calculated attempt to instill fear in Tar and her support network.
“I believe he was attempting to cause Taran’s friends anxiety and fear—and by default, cause Taran the same fear and anxiety,” Heaney said.
If proven intentional, such actions may constitute indirect harassment and possible violations of the restraining orderin place at the time.
Notably, court documents show that James Nolan’s attorney, Liz Camur, subpoenaed Heaney’s report—but the report was not introduce into evidence during court proceedings.
Heaney also evaluated the credibility of key figures in Tar’s support circle:
“I checked into Tar’s friends—Vanzandt and her daughters, along with Takao and Taylor—and found them to be credible and truthful,” he concluded.
Private Investigator Report Reveals A Pattern of Intimidation: Third-Party Contact and Online Harassment
Private investigator Brian Heaney also uncovered disturbing efforts to bypass legal boundaries through third-party contact and digital intimidation.
One such attempt involved family acquaintance Bill Lux, who reached out to Heaney on Jimmy Nolan’s behalf after Heaney’s investigation had concluded. The timing raised red flags.
“It suggested Jimmy may have been tracking who was investigating him,” Heaney said.
Upon confirming that mutual restraining orders were in effect, Heaney followed legal protocol and immediately declined communication.
Another potential restraining order violation occurred in July 2023, when Jimmy allegedly sent messages to Tar through Kevin Hall, a mutual contact. This incident was followed by a highly publicized event on August 16, 2023, in which Tar’s 13-year-old son approached her at a public park.
Despite the fact that Tar neither initiated nor invited the contact, Jimmy Nolan reported the encounter as a restraining order violation. The Orange County District Attorney ultimately dismissed the case in September 2024 (Case No. 23HM08944).
Beyond physical contact, a relentless social media smear campaign erupted across platforms like Facebook and Reddit. Posts misrepresented key facts, twisted timelines, and vilified Tar with false and harassing claims—all while Jimmy Nolan’s public image remained carefully curated.
“It was unfounded. It was out of control. And it was clearly harassing,” said one source familiar with the online activity.
These incidents, documented in part by Heaney and corroborated by other witnesses, paint a consistent picture: a pattern of indirect intimidation, narrative control, and retaliatory tactics—weaponizing both people and platforms against a disabled mother.
Taran Nolan Court Abuse: A DVRO Obtained by Fraudulent Claims
On June 27, 2022, James Nolan filed for a Domestic Violence Restraining Order (DVRO) against Taran Nolan in Orange County Family Court. The claims he made formed the basis for the temporary DVRO granted that same day—a decision that would bar Tar from any contact with her children and lead to nearly three years of total separation.
1 of 2 Screen Shot of James Nolan’s DVRO Application. June 27, 2022.
2 of 2 Screen Shot of James Nolan’s DVRO Application. June 27, 2022.
The following claims were made in his DVRO application:
May 17, 2022: Tar vacated the family home and moved to a hotel with an “alleged” caregiver.
May 19, 2022: Tar entered the home with others and allegedly stole cash.
May 29, 2022: Tar allegedly broke into the home again and stole computers, phones, cash, and various electronics.
June 15, 2022: Tar allegedly rolled over her son’s foot with her wheelchair while leaving a bar, resulting in a fracture. James claimed this, along with threats and “false accusations to law enforcement,” caused emotional distress.
June 17, 2022: Tar, with “unknown assailants,” allegedly threw a rock and vase through the kitchen window, stole an urn containing her deceased daughter’s ashes, and rammed the garage door with a vehicle.
June 18, 2022: Tar allegedly made verbal threats to James Nolan and Paul Nolan in the garage, again coupled with “false accusations to law enforcement.”
These events—misrepresented or disputed in interviews and evidence collected by this reporter—were accepted by the court without independent witness testimony. The temporary DVRO, which included the Nolan children, has remained in effect nearly three years later, despite mounting documentation and statements contradicting the original allegations.
As a result, James Nolan has retained full custody of the children, and Taran Nolan—who is medically dependent, physically limited, and extensively documented as the victim of neglect and emotional abuse—has had no direct contact with her children since June 2022.
1 of 2 Criminal Charges Against Tar Now Dismissed. December 12, 2023 and January 27, 2025.
2 of 2 Criminal Charges Against Tar Now Dismissed. December 12, 2023 and January 27, 2025.
Taran Nolan Court Abuse: OCDA Criminally Charged Tar for Violations of a DVRO Obtained via Fraudulent Claims
The temporary Domestic Violence Restraining Order (DVRO) granted to James Nolan in June 2022 was reissued more than 13 times due to repeated family court continuances—keeping the order in place for nearly three years.
During that time, Taran Nolan was accused of multiple violations—each one deeply questionable in both context and intent.
August 2023: Tar was at her local park when her son approached her and asked if they could swap homes.
On the day in question, Tar Nolan was not the one who initiated contact.
According to an interview conducted by this reporter, eyewitness testimony and supporting recordings confirmed it was Tar’s minor son who approached her at a neighborhood park — not the other way around.
Jordana Chapman, a close family friend, confirmed that Tar was simply babysitting Jordana’s daughter, and had taken her and a small dog to the park near Tar’s apartment.
Jordana’s daughter, who spoke directly with this reporter, recalled:
“I was on the swings… Auntie Tar was just at the tables nearby… Jimmy came up with his scooter and started filming us.”
Jordana’s daughter explained that after Tar’s son approached them, questioning Tar about relocating to South Carolina, Tar and Jordana’s daughter decided to leave the park to avoid further confrontation.
“We decided to go to Target… and he [Tar’s son] was following us on a scooter in Target, and he was filming us.
Auntie Tar didn’t know… he was hiding… and then in the car, I told her.”
In reviewing the video produced in the criminal case, it appeared to be taken from across the street, resembling a staged, orchestrated encounter.
August 2023: Tar’s daughter sent her two direct messages on Instagram. Tar replied.
The Orange County District Attorney filed criminal charges against Tar in January 2024 (Case No. 23HM08944).
June 2024: Tar shared a picture of her children on her Facebook Stories along with a birthday message.
The OCDA filed a second round of criminal charges in January 2025 (Case No. 25HM00869).
In both cases, the charges against Taran Nolan were dismissed—the first in March 2025 and the second shortly after filing. Still, during that time, a criminal protective order was issued against her.
James Sweeney, Taran Nolan’s defense attorney, confirmed in an interview with this reporter:
“Both cases and all counts were dismissed upon successful completion of diversion — [OC] DA made motions to dismiss all charges.”
These prosecutions unfolded despite mounting evidence that the original DVRO had been obtained through orchestrated, fraudulent misrepresentations, and exposed a pattern of abuse by James Nolan—not Taran.
Yet the temporary DVRO remained in place for nearly three years—until April 16, 2025, when Judge Kimberly Carasso made it permanent, issuing a five-year restraining order and awarding James Nolan sole custody of the children.
THE 2025 COURT HEARINGS AND WITNESSES
Testimonies Silenced, Dismissed, or Denied
The following accounts come from witnesses who either testified and were belittled, gaslit, dismissed or extremely limited by the court, some waited weeks, months—even years—to testify, only to be denied the opportunity.
3 0f 3 Nolan Home. March 10, 2022.
2 0f 3 Nolan Home. March 10, 2022.
1 0f 3 Nolan Home. March 10, 2022.
Taran Nolan Court Abuse: Witness Claudia’s Testimony — The Caregiver the Court Ignored
From 2021 until May 2022, Claudia worked as a caregiver and quasi-housekeeper for Taran Nolan. She visited Monday through Friday, typically for three to four hours each day.
In an interview with this reporter, Claudia described the family home as:
“Messy. Filthy. It smelled like cat and human urine,” she said.
Claudia emphasized the conditions were unsafe for the children:
“It’s not a place for kids. The kids were wetting their beds, and no one was cleaning it.”
Although hired primarily to support Taran’s physical needs, Claudia said she quickly took on much more:
“I was taking care of the kids and cat stuff. I did the dishes, laundry, sweeping, mopping… sometimes even took the kids to school when no one else did.”
When asked about James Nolan’s presence at the home, Claudia replied:
“I can count on my fingers the times I saw him… maybe ten times total.”
“Not him. Tar was not cared for. I don’t see him. He was never around. I don’t know where he was. I saw her friends more than him.”
Claudia detailed the extent of her caregiving role:
“I’m the one taking them to school and making their breakfast… but no one asked me that in court.”
She also shared how concerned Taran was for her children’s comfort and emotional needs:
“Tar would ask me to come early and please stop by Starbucks for the kids. Breakfast for the kids. Drinks for the kids—for Paisley, for Daisy, and for Jamie Quick.”
Claudia recalled being called in for emergencies at all hours:
“She’d call me crying. Her colon bag had exploded… it was all over her chest and stomach. I had to come early to clean her.”
She recounted testifying about those incidents:
“They objected to the words I used. I insisted it was the truth. It exploded. Poop was everywhere.”
Claudia provided pictures, receipts, and voice recordings to substantiate her role in the home and the conditions she witnessed.
She also confirmed the strong emotional bond between Taran and her children:
“They were so loving. Always saying goodbye, kissing her forehead. Especially the younger two. Paisley had already gone to school by the time I arrived.”
Despite her firsthand experience and evidence, Claudia said her testimony in court was minimized and obstructed:
“I told the truth. His lawyer kept objecting.”
Claudia stopped working for Taran in May 2022 when Tar left the home—and due to unpaid wages. She reconnected with the case only after being contacted to testify.
She explained why she returned to help:
“I have God in my heart. I believe in heaven. That’s why I came to court.”
Other witnesses involved in Taran’s care confirmed that while Claudia regularly:
Wiped Taran down with body wipes,
Emptied or drained her colostomy bags,
She was not responsible for bathing, showering, or changing the medical tubing, pouch, or flange of the colostomy appliance; those duties were assigned to other caregivers—including James Nolan himself.
Jeanne D’Herckens Recalls the Day of the Crash—and a Pattern of Neglect
Jeanne D’Herckens met Taran Nolan in January 2015, when their daughters—Paisley and Jeanne’s child—became kindergarten classmates.
What began as a school connection quickly grew into a deep friendship between two mothers.
“We saw each other multiple times a week,” D’Herckens said. “Taran was always out and about with the kids—at the park, at games, at the beach. She was a super mom.”
Although Jeanne and her family moved from California in early 2018, she remained closely connected to Taran and her children.
She recalled that during the years they lived nearby, she rarely entered the Nolan home—not until New Year’s Eve of 2017.
“We went out to dinner maybe four or five times with Jimmy. He usually didn’t want people over. He slept all day. It was rare to see him.”
She also noted his absence at key milestones:
“I went to the kids’ birthday parties, and he was never there. Not once. He just wasn’t around.”
Most of their time together occurred outside the home—at parks, school events, and birthday parties.
“I’d been friends with Taran for years and had barely stepped inside her house. That’s how distant he kept everyone. But Taran came to my house all the time. She was always doing something with the kids.”
Taran Nolan Court Abuse: The Day Before the Crash
In September 2020, Jeanne was living in South Carolina—just hours from where the accident occurred.
She spent the day before the crash watching Taran’s children.
“I was with them for about eight hours. We had such a great day. Taran picked them up after dinner and drove back to Georgetown.”
The next morning, Jeanne’s husband saw a Facebook post by Jimmy Nolan.
“He said something about a car accident. I thought it was a joke at first. Then I started calling hospitals.”
She found Taran in critical condition at a Myrtle Beach hospital and immediately drove two hours to reach her.
“COVID protocols were strict, but I told them I was her sister. We’d always called each other that anyway. I had to get to her.”
Meanwhile, Jimmy Nolan was nowhere to be found.
“He wasn’t even trying to call me—and I had just had his kids the entire day before. He was posting on Facebook asking strangers to find his wife.”
Jeanne said Jimmy didn’t arrive until 11:30 p.m. that night—and when he did, he violated ICU protocol in a deeply traumatic way.
“The first thing he said when he walked into the room was, ‘Micki’s dead,’” Jeanne recalled. “The nurses were horrified. They had given strict instructions not to tell Taran or the children that way.”
She also remembered reckless decisions that endangered the surviving children:
“Daisy was five. She had serious injuries and wasn’t allowed to have anything by mouth. But he gave her a Coke.”
Taran Nolan Court Abuse: Abandonment, Retaliation, and Threats
According to Jeanne, Jimmy left the hospital shortly after arriving, saying he was “too tired” and needed to sleep.
“People were pounding on his hotel door the next morning. The hospital was ready to discharge Jimmy Jr., and no one could find their father.”
Jeanne took the surviving children into her home for several days.
Jimmy, she said, had no idea where they were.
“His brother called me at midnight, saying they were coming to get the kids. I said, ‘No, you’re not. They’re asleep. You’re not driving pitch-black roads for two hours to wake up two traumatized children.’”
One of the children, she said, begged not to go.
“Paisley said she didn’t want to stay in a hotel room with 20-year-old football boys. But that’s exactly what they did.”
After the children were taken, Jeanne said her connection with Taran and the kids was cut off completely.
“I dropped off food and Christmas gifts at the door, but the kids were terrified Jimmy would see me. I was never allowed to see Taran again.”
Jeanne described escalating threats and intimidation in the months that followed:
“He posted the names of the towns where I live, where Ellen lives, where Lesley lives—Taran’s core group of friends. He added creepy emojis, like a fishing pole and a crab. It felt like a threat.”
Out of concern for her safety, Jeanne filed a police report.
“A couple years ago, I replied to a Facebook post. He threatened to sue me for libel just for speaking up. That’s who he is. He tries to silence anyone who defends Taran.”
She also confirmed that a nurse reported suspected abuse or neglect to South Carolina’s Child Protective Services after the crash:
“The kids were showing up at the neighbor’s house at 10 p.m. saying they hadn’t eaten. They weren’t being fed.”
“He Wants to Destroy Everything”
Now living in South Carolina, D’Herckens closed her interview with a sobering conclusion:
“Jimmy wants attention. He’s a narcissist. Now it’s like he wants to destroy everything—Taran’s life, her reputation, her kids’ stability. He hated all of us—her closest friends—for trying to help.”
When asked if she would testify under oath, Jeanne did not hesitate:
“Yes. Everything I’ve told you is the truth.
As Jeanne D’Herckens and others were pushed out of Taran’s life, those left behind saw the consequences firsthand—including a neighbor who stepped in to care for the children when no one else did.
Neighbor Speaks Out: “I Took Care of the Kids Because No One Else Was”
A trusted source shares what really happened behind the Nolan family’s closed doors after the accident.
A former neighbor of the Nolan family—a source speaking under condition of anonymity—shared disturbing details about the months following Taran Nolan’s catastrophic 2020 accident in an interview with this reporter.
At the time, Taran was newly quadriplegic and still grieving the loss of her youngest daughter, Micki Valentine.
Meanwhile, her husband, James Nolan, was publicly portraying himself on Facebook as a devoted caregiver and father.
Behind the scenes, the source says, the reality was far different.
“Essentially, I took care of the three kids,” she explained. “No one else was. Eventually their uncle Paul came and was a good guy who tried, but I would say I took care of them 75% of the time.”
She described how the Nolan children often lived at her house during that period.
She cooked for them, bathed them, took them to school, and even handled hygiene issues caused by long-term neglect.
“They had very long hair that Jimmy would not let them cut, but no one took care of it. They would get sores on their scalps under the mats. I frequently washed the girls’ hair and got the mats out.”
The home itself, she recalled, was:
“Messy on the verge of filthy.”
Only when Uncle Paul visited, she said, did the home show any attempt at cleanliness.
“I believe they had nurses come in, but I think they were pretty useless. I did not think Tar was being taken care of. At one point, I reached out to Tar’s dad to tell him I was worried she wasn’t being properly cared for.”
She also described how James restricted visitors once Taran came home from the hospital—especially isolating her from close friends like Jeanne D’Herckens.
“Tar often seemed heavily medicated and isolated.”
Taran Nolan Court Abuse: The Day of the Crash and Its Aftermath
The neighbor was present the day of the 2020 crash:
“I was there first. Robin stayed with Tar and I stayed with the kids. When Jeannie got there later in the day, I left. After that, the kids were with my kids at my house.”
In late January 2021, shortly after police arrived at the house, the family abruptly left South Carolina.
The source said she was told the move related to Taran’s use of medical marijuana, though she was not present that day.
“Jimmy said they left because of legal concerns.”
“Jimmy Is a Narcissistic Prick”
When asked to describe James Nolan’s parenting, the source didn’t hold back:
“Jimmy is a narcissistic prick who absolutely did not get Taran the care she needed after the accident. I also think his kids are terrified of him.”
She said he frequently slept until the afternoon, leaving the children to others:
“When [child] slept here, [they] would wet the bed. I never commented on Facebook or posted about what I was doing with the kids, except very occasionally. The stuff Jimmy posted was all BS. He wasn’t being super dad or super husband.”
Still, she did what she could to give the children moments of normalcy:
“For Halloween, I did a party for all the kids. Tried to make things fun and normal. It was pretty bad. I tried to make things as good as I could for them.”
Taran Nolan Court Abuse: The Children’s Bond with Their Mother
Despite the trauma and dysfunction, the source emphasized one thing with certainty:
“Those kids loved their mom. Tar was the best mom to them. When she came home, they loved on her, but I think they all had PTSD. I mentioned therapy to Jimmy, but he said they would deal with it on their own.”
Final Reflections—and a Warning Ignored
The neighbor also shared a rumor circulating in the community—while careful to separate what she personally knew from what was heard.
“I heard from neighbors people thought he was molesting [child]. I have no idea if that’s true. I do know the kids were scared of him and that [child] wet the bed when [they] slept here.”
1 of 2 Georgetown Police Report. January 15, 2021.
2 of 2 Georgetown Police Report. January 15, 2021.
Georgetown Police Report. January 15, 2021.
She ended the conversation with a quiet plea for privacy—and for truth:
“I’d rather keep my name out of it and do not want to have to deal with Jimmy ever again. I was so relieved when he went back to California. I wish Tar the best, and I hope my information helps.”
Beneath the carefully crafted social media facade, yet another insider described the harsh reality: a father who neglected even his children’s most basic needs.
“He Didn’t Feed Them. He Didn’t Bathe Them.”
Another source, speaking under condition of anonymity, exposes the quiet chaos inside the Nolan household.
A former neighbor, reporting under the condition of anonymity, recalled in chilling detail the months following Taran Nolan’s catastrophic car accident—the one that left her paralyzed and claimed the life of her youngest daughter, Micki Valentine.
What emerged from the interview was a grim picture of neglect, manipulation, and public deception.
“He didn’t feed them. Sometimes the kids wouldn’t eat until 10:30 at night,” the source said, describing James Nolan’s routine of sleeping until 2 or 3 p.m. daily and surviving on Red Bull.
“He didn’t bathe them. He didn’t clean the house. All he ever did was teach them to box down by the river.”
Despite his public image as a devoted father—carefully curated through frequent Facebook posts and fundraising efforts—the source said James Nolan’s real behavior told a very different story.
“He kept painting the kids’ clothes with Micki’s name… like a stencil. It was bizarre. And Taran’s [child] wet the bed every night.”
Taran Nolan Court Abuse: Chaos, Decay, and Medical Neglect
The source described the home as chaotic, unclean, and emotionally unmoored.
The yard was overgrown. Garbage piled up in buckets. Linens were soiled. Food was left to rot.
And when Taran returned home from the hospital—still severely disabled and in need of full-time care—James failed to meet even her most basic medical needs.
“He didn’t change her colostomy bag. It would leak all over. She suffered immensely.”
When asked whether efforts were made to get the children professional mental health support after the crash, the source revealed an especially damning detail:
“A neighbor, a psychiatric nurse, offered counseling for the kids—for free. But he refused. They desperately needed it.”
Sudden Flight After Police Involvement
In early 2021, shortly before the family’s abrupt departure from South Carolina, police visited the Nolan residence following allegations involving James’s behavior toward one of the children and possible drug misuse.
“They left the next day. Gone. Just like that. It was so obvious he was running.”
1 of 2 Georgetown Police Report. January 15, 2021.
2 of 2 Georgetown Police Report. January 15, 2021.
As the pattern of neglect and retaliation deepened, those closest to Taran—including trusted friends and business associates—were drawn into the chaos, witnessing firsthand the abuse the court refused to confront.
Friend and Business Associate Turned Caregiver Speaks Out on Abuse, Neglect, and Retaliation in Tar Nolan Case
Corey Morin, a former friend and property manager for the Nolan family, became an unexpected caregiver—first at James Nolan’s request in 2021, and again in late 2022 after James allegedly failed to meet even the most basic needs of his disabled wife, Taran Nolan, following her catastrophic spinal injury.
Morin’s testimony adds critical weight to mounting allegations of neglect, manipulation, and psychological abuse—allegations fueling growing public scrutiny of the recent court rulings in Nolan v. Nolan.
“At first, I tried to stay out of it,” Morin said. “But there’d be times when James was gone, couldn’t be found, or sleeping—and it was time for medicine, or she needed her colostomy bag changed, or she needed to be turned.
She’d call me in the middle of the night after trying him. Nobody answered. So I came.”
A House in Crisis
Morin described the Nolan household as unsanitary and chaotic.
“The whole upstairs—blankets, clothes, wet towels everywhere. No one did laundry. No one cleaned unless friends or caregivers like Claudia came by. And even then, within a week, it’d be back to demolished.”
He said James Nolan was frequently absent or asleep, isolating himself in his room or office until late afternoon.
“He slept from five or six in the morning until two or four in the afternoon. When he was awake, he was dealing with cats, not Taran.
Typically there was nothing for him to do for her at night—she was asleep.”
Morin explained that Taran needed daytime support—help James consistently failed to provide.
“She needed help during the day, when she was awake, and he wasn’t there. He wasn’t helping.
If anything, he was micromanaging her from a distance—telling her what she could eat, when she could eat.
Once, I heard him tell her, ‘You can’t have mac and cheese after 10—you’ll get fat.’
She’s paralyzed. She can’t get her own food.”
Distortion, Fear, and Fictional Abuse Allegations
Morin also described a critical incident twisted into an abuse allegation against Taran:
“I was there. It was an accident. She was holding the cigarette in the gazebo I built for her so she could get fresh air.
Her son ran up, bumped into her—into the cigarette. It wasn’t put out on him. Just a tiny blister.
But later, they made a video turning it into ‘she burned him on purpose.’
I saw it happen. That’s not what happened.”
Morin also recalled a violent incident involving James Nolan:
“There was a time in Georgetown—he blew up over some gift cards.
He dragged his son upstairs by the neck. I didn’t see what happened behind the closed door, but I heard yelling.
That kid feared him. Not respected him—feared him.”
Isolation, Control, and Revenge
Asked about how others treated Taran compared to James, Morin was unequivocal:
“Everyone else showed real care. Claudia. Donna. Lesley. Tammy and her girls. Aileen. Even the kids tried.
But James? I think he blames her for the accident—and for losing Micki.
He resented her.”
When asked whether Taran was capable of violence, Morin replied:
“Physically? No. Emotionally? No. That whole narrative is absurd.
She’s a quadriplegic. The idea that she’s some kind of threat is fiction created to control her, discredit her, and isolate her.”
Retaliation Through Smear Campaigns
Morin also addressed the social media smear campaign that falsely accused him of an affair with Taran and of marrying her in Las Vegas:
“It’s hilarious. He couldn’t accept that someone would leave him unless it was for another man. So he made me the enemy.
But I never had a relationship with her. I just did what he refused to do—care.”
He said James Nolan’s retaliation didn’t stop there:
“He’s done everything to remove everyone from her life who helps her.
If you don’t do what he says, you’re out.
But I stayed because it was the right thing to do.”
Morin closed with a reminder of who Taran really was beneath the hardship:
“She was a very involved mom before the accident and continued to do her best after.
She was super mom.”
Beyond the caregivers and insiders, those who simply knew Taran as a mother saw the truth just as clearly—and the tragedy that followed when the system failed to protect her.
A Father’s View of Taran Nolan and the Tragedy That Followed
“She was the heart of the house. They haven’t forgotten her. They won’t.”
Ward Cline, the father of quadriplegic mother Taran Nolan, didn’t hesitate when asked to describe his daughter’s role in her family before the 2020 crash that changed everything.
“She was the ultimate mother,” he said. “She was the heart of the house.
The children looked to her for everything—her strength, her love.”
James Nolan, Ward added, was largely absent even then.
“Jimmy didn’t do much.
He’d show up for dinner, scold the kids if they’d done something wrong, and that was about it.”
Witnessing Dysfunction Before and After the Crash
Ward recounted visiting the family’s home for extended periods.
What he observed left a lasting impression—not just of Taran’s devotion, but of James Nolan’s disturbing behavior.
“He didn’t raise his voice, but he would demoralize the kids—make them feel terrible about themselves.
I had to step in a few times to defend the kids, and he didn’t like that.”
After the accident that left Taran permanently disabled and claimed the life of her youngest daughter, Ward stayed by her side daily at the South Carolina hospital.
“James would roll in around 6 or 7 p.m., talk a good game about how he was going to take care of her.
I believed him.
I told him it was music to my ears.
But none of it came true.”
Promises Broken, Isolation Deepens
Once Taran returned home—first to South Carolina, then later to Orange County—the care she desperately needed never materialized.
“She was isolated. She was hurting.
I could tell from what she shared that James wasn’t stepping up at all.”
Ward said that even separated by distance, Taran remained the emotional anchor for her children.
“They called her constantly.
They didn’t talk to their dad much.
They just wanted their mom.”
By contrast, he described James as disengaged:
“He lived like a king.
He didn’t help with the house, didn’t do much of anything except scold the kids.
And after the accident, he wasn’t the caregiver he claimed he would be.”
A Legal Decision That Defied Reality
Ward, like many others interviewed for this series, was stunned by the court’s April 16, 2025 ruling.
Judge Kimberly Carasso dismissed all of Taran’s claims and issued a five-year restraining order in favor of James—cutting off Taran’s custodial rights and limiting her to monitored visitation, if any.
“It’s hard to comprehend on any level,” Ward said.
“There’s no victory in this—what James is doing is hurting the kids.
He’ll never erase their love for their mother.”
He expressed heartbreak at the thought that his grandchildren might grow up believing lies about the woman who had once been their everything.
“Just one visit. One face-to-face visit is all it would take to undo this manipulation.
I know they haven’t forgotten her.
They won’t.”
A Grandfather’s Resolve
Ward closed the interview with a solemn conviction:
“Taran’s character is amazing.
She’s strong.
She’s purposeful.
And this miscarriage of justice must be corrected—for her sake, and for the children.”
As those closest to Taran fought to hold onto the truth, another voice stepped forward—one who knew her not just as a mother, but as a light in the lives of everyone she touched.
Witness to Truth: Amber Pisco Speaks Out
“She is sunshine in a person.” — Amber Pisco on Taran Nolan
In an exclusive interview, Amber Pisco—a former caregiver and longtime friend of Taran Nolan—described a stark contrast between the court’s portrayal of Tar and the woman she knew for nearly a decade.
“She was super mom.
Everyone in the community knew her, loved her.
She ran that household and did everything for those kids,” Pisco recalled.
“This woman was the mom other moms looked up to.”
But inside the courtroom, that version of Taran disappeared—replaced by a distorted image of danger and dysfunction.
A Joke Turned Into a Weapon
Pisco was barred from court as Tar’s ADA caregiver after James Nolan’s legal team alleged she appeared in a brief moment of dark humor—a small joke meant to soften a painful encounter—recorded on Taran’s stolen phone.
“Yes, I was in that recording. It was a joke,” Pisco clarified.
“Taran was upset, singing a made-up song about her frustration after being blocked from seeing her kids.
I jokingly chimed in.
It was nothing more than a moment of emotional venting.
It wasn’t a threat.”
That illegally obtained recording—and the fleeting moment of humor intended to ease emotional pain—was twisted into justification to remove Tar’s ADA support.
More disturbingly, it became another tool to isolate and discredit a disabled mother in court.
Taran Nolan Court Abuse: Courtroom Lies and Distorted Realities
Minors Counsel Bettina Yanez alleged in open court that Tar had violated her DVRO by “accosting” her children in a courthouse lobby.
But Amber, who was present, described something very different.
“Tar rolled into the elevator lobby after the metal detectors—it was filled with people.
She turned, saw the kids, and just gasped—she hadn’t expected to see them.
She didn’t yell.
She didn’t approach them.
Jim immediately ushered them up the stairs.”
“We were never in the elevator with them, despite what Bettina claimed.
That whole story was fabricated.”
Yanez also stated that two bailiffs were prepared to arrest Tar on the spot.
“I sat there thinking, ‘Please do it,’ because none of what she said actually happened.
It was a complete lie,” Pisco said.
“And yet, Judge Carasso accepted it as fact.”
A House of Neglect, Not Protection
Pisco described disturbing patterns of neglect, isolation, and emotional abuse under James Nolan’s care—contradicting his courtroom image as the “protective father.”
“He slept most of the day.
The house was filthy.
I’d come over and Taran’s hair would be matted, she smelled like she hadn’t been cleaned.”
James often claimed Tar didn’t want visitors.
“But Taran was the most social person I knew.
It didn’t make sense—until it did.”
She also recalled signs of physical and emotional neglect in the children.
“I picked up the girls once to get their nails done in early 2021.
They both reeked of urine.
That wasn’t rare.
They were wetting their beds, and no one was cleaning them up.”
“[One of the children’s] mattress was removed and left outside.
[The child] slept on wood.”
Fleeing CPS Investigation
Amber confirmed that James admitted South Carolina authorities had investigated him for alleged inappropriate behavior with his children.
“He claimed that accusations had been made anonymously against him about sleeping naked with his [child or children].
I don’t recall exactly.”
Rather than cooperate, James fled South Carolina in January 2021, just after police visits and before any follow-up or drug testing could occur.
“He left before they could follow up or drug test him.
That’s when they came back to Orange County.”
No Mental Health Care After Trauma
Pisco noted that despite the catastrophic accident—one that killed their sister and paralyzed their mother—no therapy or trauma treatment was arranged for the children.
“Those kids never processed that trauma.
Not once were they given therapy,” she said.
“Now they’ve been handed over to the man who failed them in every possible way.”
“She Cried Because I Made Her Feel Pretty”
Daughter of Caregiver Describes Shocking Neglect Just After Mother’s Day
In an exclusive interview, Lexi Lewis, daughter of caretaker Tamera VanZandt, recalled what she found when she visited Taran Nolan’s home on May 9, 2022—the day after Mother’s Day. The scene left her shaken.
“It literally looked like she had not been taken care of in weeks,” Lexi said.
“Her underwear were completely soiled. Her hair was matted into a knot. Her skin was dry and flaky, like she hadn’t had lotion on in a long time. She couldn’t even brush her own teeth or put lotion on her body.”
Lexi, who had been brought in by her mother to help due to overlapping work schedules, described Taran as “physically dependent on everyone for everything” during that phase of recovery.
“She couldn’t lift a cup, feed herself, or even take her pills without help,” she explained.
“She still had the long straws just to drink—her arms couldn’t reach her mouth.”
That day, Lexi bathed, shaved, and dressed Taran. She brushed her teeth and spent nearly half an hour carefully combing out her matted hair. The emotional aftermath was unforgettable.
“She started crying because she said I made her feel so pretty,” Lexi recalled. “She told me, ‘I haven’t had this done in so long,’ and just broke down.”
A House in Decline—and a Father Who Slept Through It All
Lexi said the condition of the house reflected the deeper reality Taran was living.
“We’d clean everything one day, only to come back and find it destroyed again,” she recalled. “Nothing ever changed. He [James Nolan] was always upstairs sleeping. We barely even saw him.”
From April 2021 to May 2022, Lexi returned to the Nolan home two or three times a month, often stepping in when her mother couldn’t. Each visit was the same: Taran, stranded in bed, dependent on others for even her most basic needs. Lexi managed everything — medications, meals, hygiene — trying to bring some order to the chaos around her.
“She relied on other people just to survive,” Lexi said. “And on Mother’s Day, of all days, she was left sitting there — alone, helpless.”
Locked In, Shut Out
Lexi also recalled a disturbing detail that further illustrates Taran’s isolation:
“Tar told me James had hidden her ramps so she couldn’t get outside.”
As Lexi and other witnesses described worsening conditions inside the Nolan home, another voice—one even closer to the day-to-day reality—stepped forward. Tamera VanZandt, Lexi’s mother and Taran’s former caretaker, provided firsthand testimony not only about the neglect Taran suffered, but about the escalating abuse, financial exploitation, and judicial indifference that would soon follow.
A Caretaker Speaks Out: Abuse, Neglect, and Courtroom Chaos
Gaslighting in Court, Ignored Testimony, and a Muzzled Mother
Tamera VanZandt first entered Taran Nolan’s life as a caretaker in April 2021—but quickly became a trusted friend. What she witnessed behind the closed doors of the Nolan household painted a devastating picture of neglect, manipulation, and abuse.
In an interview with this reporter, Tamera recounted—often in disturbing detail—what she experienced during the months she worked inside the home and after.
A Crisis Ignored: “I Found Her on the Floor”
In June 2021, Tamera received a frantic call from Taran. She had fallen out of bed during a spasm after James forgot to place a pillow next to her. Repeated cries for help had gone unanswered.
“She called me. I found her on the floor, Daisy next to her.” Tamara said.
Tamera confirmed James routinely neglected even the most basic care.
Her daughter, Lexi Lewis, had to intervene less than a year later, on May 9, 2022—the day after Mother’s Day:
“She was crying when she called me,” Tamera said. “She said she hadn’t had a shower in two weeks. She thought at least on Mother’s Day he would get her out of bed, make her feel pretty—but he didn’t.”
That moment marked a turning point. Just six days later, Taran checked into a hotel to escape the conditions at home.
The Hotel Incident: Physical Force and Financial Exploitation
Tamera also described a harrowing encounter shortly after Tar left the home.
“He had Daisy knock on the door. When Tar opened it, he barged in, ransacked the room, picked her up out of her chair, and threw her on the bed to get the backpack. I was standing right there,” Tamera said.
James had already convinced Taran to give him $1,200 from her limited savings—and then returned uninvited, escalating the situation.
Courtroom Gaslighting and Discredited Truths
Despite testifying about these events in court, Tamera said her account was dismissed as “not credible.”
“The judge claimed I seemed nervous. I wasn’t nervous. I was excited to tell the truth,” she said.
Tamera described how Judge Kimberly Carasso appeared enraged after a NewsBreak article published on January 27, 2025, covered the case:
“Marie came out of the courtroom and said the judge was losing her shit, screaming about the media, threatening a mistrial and sanctions. They were accusing us of leaking to the press. It was like a circus.”
Tamara also strongly disputed the judge’s accusation that she “helped Taran break in” to the home on May 19, 2022:
“The door was unlocked. We had the house keys. The door was always unlocked because caregivers and friends were constantly coming and going. Tar asked me to grab a backpack and a few sundresses. I didn’t even know there was money in it.”
“Booped on the Head” and Bias by Friendship
Judge Carasso’s ruling also cited Tamera as “biased,” referencing a moment in court when she allegedly “booped” Taran on the head.
“No. I rubbed her shoulder as I walked past her, because she was crying. That’s what friends do,” Tamera said.
Sexual Exploitation and Silent Trauma
Tamera recounted a deeply disturbing disclosure from Taran:
“One morning Tar said, ‘He gave me all my nighttime meds, and I vaguely remember him pulling down my skirt and having sex with me while I was out of it.’”
Taran had been prescribed a regimen of strong sedatives, including morphine, Xanax, Valium, and Percocet, and often became incoherent shortly after taking them.
“James allegedly used her sedated state to violate her,” Tamera said.
Abuse of the Children, Media Manipulation, and Psychological Warfare
Tamera also described severe abuse of the children:
“He dragged his son by the back of the neck upstairs and beat him with a belt after a fire was mistakenly blamed on the boy. I could hear the whipping from downstairs. The next day they found out it was Paisley who set the trash can on fire.”
She alleged James also stole and abused Taran’s prescription medication, and engaged in recorded psychological warfare:
“He would provoke her, then record her, and act calm—‘Love, why are you so upset?’ He was weaponizing her trauma.”
“He told her, ‘If I don’t post you, the money stops coming in.’ It was never about her. It was always about the attention—and the money.”
Taran Nolan Court Abuse: Corroborating Witnesses and a Final Plea
Tamera has since provided corroborating evidence, including voice messages and text message screenshots, and is actively coordinating with her daughters and former housekeeper Claudia to support her claims.
She closed her interview with this:
“This is about what they’ve done to Tar and her children—and how this court made it worse.”
Witness Testimony: Ellen Taylor Speaks on the Record
A Friend of 14 Years, Silenced in Court but Now Speaking the Truth
Another key witness silenced by the court has come forward to expose what she describes as a deeply unjust and retaliatory family court process—one that left a disabled mother without her children and without a voice.
Friendship and Character Witness
“I met Taran Nolan in 2011. We became very, very close—often seeing each other once or twice a day. I’ve always known her to be a good mother and an excellent wife.” — Ellen Taylor
Pre-Accident Household Dynamics
“Jim would sleep all day and keep the kids up late, which made things harder for Taran. I found it odd that he showed no interest in the day-to-day lives of his wife or kids.”
Neglect and Unsanitary Conditions After the Accident
“In April and July of 2021, and again in April 2022, I visited for a week each time. The house was unsanitary. Groceries were rotting. Taran was still coordinating carpools and school prep while paralyzed. I never once saw James cook a meal or take the kids to school.”
Failure to Provide Consistent Care
“James said he didn’t want to hire a caregiver because of money, but I believe he didn’t want to relinquish control. Taran wanted daytime help—someone stable—but he refused.”
Ellen also revealed financial control issues despite James not being the legal guardian of Taran’s trust:
“His brother Paul was the executor. Taran had no access to her own funds. One time she got an eviction notice because Paul didn’t pay the rent for two months.”
Concerning Medical Neglect and Emotional Deterioration
“In 2022, she was clearly declining. James had me give her meds without any instruction. He said she had gotten drunk mixing alcohol with her prescriptions. I was shocked she was alive.”
Traumatic Brain Injury Weaponized
“They weaponize her brain injury—telling her her brain is broken when it suits them, and then holding her to impossible standards.”
Social Media Smear Campaign
“There was a page called Nolan Wrong vs. Nolan Strong. Then there was Reddit. When I spoke up, James tried to discredit me. He wanted to make it look like Taran was unstable and dangerous.”
On James Nolan’s Manipulation
“He manipulates people—charms them or scares them. That’s what he does.”
On the Court’s Refusal to See the Whole Picture
“I don’t believe she’s dangerous. I believe she was trapped. And I believe the court chose to ignore the real abuse. Even criminals get better treatment than Taran.”
When asked to summarize what she believes the court did, Ellen didn’t hesitate:
“They used their power and abuse… to overpower her… to silence her basically.”
“They act like all this is confidential—but it’s just because it reflects badly on them. This is all about power and image. They buried a disabled woman to protect themselves.”
“I would trust my own children with Taran without hesitation. She’s not dangerous. She loves her kids. She’s a better parent than James—one hundred percent.”
Judicial Retaliation and Suppression of Testimony
Ellen attempted to testify during the January 2025 hearings but was blocked twice—on January 29 and again on January 31. She confirmed that courtroom tensions escalated immediately after the publication of this reporter’s article on January 27, which exposed the court’s failure to protect Taran’s rights.
“The 29th is when everything blew up,” Ellen said. “The judge ordered both sides to submit briefs explaining why they weren’t responsible for the leak. They didn’t want their dirty laundry aired.”
“They didn’t want me to testify to any of this. I was limited to discussing one childhood trauma story that the judge twisted. She made it sound like Taran was inappropriate for speaking openly in front of her kids. But no one objected—not even James, who was present at the time. It had been openly discussed many times.”
As witnesses shattered the false narratives about Taran’s character, court records revealed another major distortion—the claim that she “broke into” the marital home.
Taran Nolan Court Abuse: Debunking the Break-In Allegations
What Really Happened When Tar Retrieved Her Things
In court documents and official testimony, James Nolan claimed that Taran Nolan and her supporters “broke in” to the marital home, vandalized property, and stole valuables—including the alleged desecration of their daughter Micki’s ashes.
But eyewitnesses say the truth is very different.
May 19, 2022: The Door Was Unlocked
According to Tamera VanZandt, a former caretaker and direct witness, the first retrieval occurred on May 19, 2022, and involved no forced entry:
“The front door was unlocked. We didn’t break in,” Tamera said.
“Tar and I went in, I got the items she asked for—a backpack and sundresses—and left. That’s it.”
May 29, 2022: Medical Supplies and Clothing
On May 29, Taran returned to the family home with assistance to retrieve more clothing and essential medical supplies.
June 17, 2022: Police-Authorized Entry
On June 17, Taran again attempted to collect her belongings. This time, she found the entry gate zip-tied and the locks changed.
Witnesses Savanah and Kenzie VanZandt confirmed that Taran called the police before proceeding.
“It was me, Kenzie, and Kayla,” Savanah said.
“We went up to grab her stuff—her medical stuff, her ashes, and some of her clothes.”
Kenzie corroborated:
“We get there in the van and everything, of course, is zip-tied and we couldn’t get anything.
So Tar calls the police.” — Kenzie VanZandt
According to their statements, officers granted permission to break a window to access Taran’s personal and medical items.
No Violence. No Theft. No Break-In.
Tamara emphasized that every entry was peaceful, authorized, and documented.
“Nobody was violent. Nobody damaged anything other than the window—and that was after police gave permission.
This was just Tar trying to get her own things and medical stuff.”
She also called out the misleading optics used in court:
“The house was already trashed.
I cleaned it constantly when I worked there.
Within 24 hours, it would look like no one had cleaned in months.”
Most importantly, Tamera noted:
“There’s no police report because there was no break-in.
The judge just made that up.”
Despite courtroom claims of criminal behavior, the evidence shows something far simpler: a disabled mother trying to recover her personal belongings—with police authorization, and without violence.
Taran Nolan Court Abuse: Clearing the Record
A New Romance, Drugs, and Drunkenness—Just Another Smear Passed Off as Fact
Another key issue weaponized against Taran Nolan—both in court and online—was the baseless insinuation that she struggled with substance abuse.
But firsthand accounts reveal a starkly different reality.
Cory Morin, a longtime friend, caregiver, and property manager who assisted Taran daily for nearly two years, directly refuted the allegations:
“Is she an alcoholic or drug addict? No.
Did she consume alcohol socially? Yes.
Never in excess.” — Cory Morin
Morin, who lived with Taran and observed her daily routines firsthand, made it clear that the rumors were just that—rumors.
His account—offered voluntarily, without legal obligation or financial incentive—contradicts both court filings and online narratives spread by individuals aligned with James Nolan.
Beyond the courtroom smears, a broader campaign of defamation took shape—targeting Taran through lies, intimidation, and social media manipulation.
An Orchestrated Smear Campaign
As the custody case escalated, Taran became the subject of a targeted smear campaign—aimed not at uncovering truth, but at portraying her as unstable and unfit through mischaracterization, social distortion, and repetition.
One key example of this manipulation involved an April 2022 dinner, later twisted by James Nolan and used in court filings to depict Taran as erratic.
Yet multiple eyewitnesses tell a very different story.
“It was just like you went out to dinner with your friends last night. No difference,” said Landis Williams, who this reporter interviewed along with his wife, Zsuzsana.
“There was nothing different than anybody else that’s had a couple drinks.
A nice dinner. Just a nice, normal night out.”
Anniversary and Birthday: Two Very Different Nights
The following night, a birthday dinner at Mastro’s revealed a different side—not of Taran, but of James.
“Jim was incredibly mean to Tar that night,” said Ellen Taylor.
“He wouldn’t even let her have one drink. When she asked us to share a cocktail, Jim found out and became furious.”
“When she ordered crab legs, the waiter kindly asked if she wanted them declawed.
She said, ‘Yes, please,’ and Jim snapped: ‘You want people to do that and make these people pay extra for you?!’”
“I remember thinking—Dude, she can’t use her fingers. Why not?!
Russ Colvin paid for the dinner anyway. Why was Jim making such a scene?”
Ellen noted the contrast:
“He was pleasant in front of the Williams the night before.
But after that night, he started pushing the story that Tar had a drinking and drug problem.
She didn’t. But like so many of his baseless accusations, that rumor spread across social media.
I don’t know how it got out—but the harassment and bullying that followed was horrendous.”
Online Bullying Becomes a Legal Weapon
The online narrative—fueled by leaked information, social media bullying, and harassment—quickly found its way into legal filings, shaping a false court record with no basis in fact.
Platforms like Facebook and Reddit hosted pages such as Nolan Strong or Nolan Wrong, Nolan Wrong versus Nolan Strong, and Prayers and Honest Questions About Tar Nolan, along with fake profiles that attacked Taran’s character.
“They implied she had erratic outbursts,” Ellen said.
“But I was there. It was Jim creating scenes—humiliating her in public and then blaming her.”
Fabricated Abuse and Smears of Romance
Corey Morin also addressed another widely circulated lie—that he and Taran were romantically involved or had married in Las Vegas.
“It’s hilarious,” Morin said.
“He couldn’t accept that someone would leave him unless it was for another man.
So he made me the enemy.
But I never had a relationship with her.
I just did what he refused to do—care.”
He also refuted a major court claim involving an alleged abuse incident with one of the children:
“I was there. It was an accident.
She was holding a cigarette in the gazebo I built for her so she could get fresh air.
Her son ran up and bumped into it.
It wasn’t put out on him—just a tiny blister.
Later, they made a video turning it into ‘she burned him on purpose.’
I saw it happen. That’s not what happened.”
After years of smears, lies, and undisputed evidence exposing the truth, the final betrayal came not from James Nolan—but from the courtroom itself.
Taran Nolan Court Abuse: Dr. Christine M. Cocchiola, DSW, LCSW Instagram Post. April 18, 2025. Link to Instagram Post
Disclosure Regarding Sealed Court Materials
Disclosure Regarding Sealed Court Order: This article includes information obtained from a court order dated April 16, 2025, issued in Taran Nolan v. James Nolan (Orange County Superior Court, Case No. 22D004564). Although the order was subsequently filed under seal, it was lawfully obtained by this publication through confidential sources.
The underlying family law case has been the subject of significant prior media coverage, including reporting by mainstream media organizations, independent journalists, and widespread discussion across social media platforms. The case itself was not originally sealed and remained publicly accessible until Judge Kimberly Carasso assumed oversight. Allegations concerning judicial conduct, ADA rights violations, abuse claims, and due process issues were already public knowledge and documented in the publicly available case docket.
The publication of this material is protected by the First Amendment to the United States Constitution. As established by the U.S. Supreme Court in Bartnicki v. Vopper, 532 U.S. 514 (2001), Smith v. Daily Mail Publishing Co., 443 U.S. 97 (1979), and Florida Star v. B.J.F., 491 U.S. 524 (1989), the press has a right to publish truthful information of significant public concern that was lawfully acquired, even if the underlying document was confidential or sealed.
This reporting continues coverage of matters implicating judicial accountability, constitutional rights, disability discrimination, child welfare, and potential systemic abuses in the family court system—issues of overwhelming public importance.
Consistent with responsible journalistic practices, sensitive personal information has been redacted or anonymized where appropriate to balance the public’s right to know with the protection of individual privacy.
The court found no merit to Taran Nolan’s claims—and full merit to James Nolan’s
This publication obtained a sealed April 16, 2025 court order issued in Taran Nolan v. James Nolan (Orange County Superior Court, Case No. 22D004564) through confidential sources. While the order was sealed after Judge Kimberly Carasso assumed jurisdiction, the underlying case had already been publicly litigated and widely reported by mainstream outlets, independent journalists, and across social media. Consistent with the First Amendment and established Supreme Court precedent, this article reports on the sealed order due to its substantial public importance, including concerns involving judicial conduct, ADA rights violations, and systemic family court failures.
Despite extensive testimony, supporting evidence, and firsthand eyewitness accounts documented earlier in this article, Judge Carasso’s April 16, 2025 ruling offered a starkly different narrative. The court dismissed every claim made by Tar Nolan and adopted in full the allegations made by James Nolan—including several claims that are directly contradicted by multiple firsthand witness accounts and documentary evidence presented throughout this investigation.
Screenshots of the April 16, 2025 minute order are provided above and below this section to promote transparency, uphold accountability, and protect the public’s right to know about judicial actions impacting vulnerable families.
As it relates to Mr. Nolan’s request:
“Specifically, in ruling on Mr. Nolan’s request, the court finds that Mr. Nolan met his burden of proof that the following acts of abuse occurred:
Taran Nolan intentionally and/or recklessly caused or attempted to cause bodily injury to James Nolan, Jimmy Nolan and Paisley Nolan. Specifically, the court finds that there was sufficient evidence to establish that Ms. Nolan attempted to intentionally ram James, Paisley, and Jimmy Nolan with her wheelchair.
Taran Nolan placed James Nolan, Paisley Nolan, Jimmy Nolan and Daisy Nolan in reasonable apprehension of imminent or serious bodily injury to that person or to another.
Taran Nolan attacked Paisley Nolan. As stated above, the court Finds there was sufficient evidence to establish that Ms. Nolan instructed [her friend] to strike Paisley across the face…
Tara[n] Nolan threatened James Nolan and Paisley Nolan. The court finds sufficient evidence that Ms. Nolan threatened to kill James Nolan with fentanyl and told him that he is “as good as dead.” Both statements were made in front of the Nolan children. In addition, the court finds sufficient evidence that Ms. Nolan threatened Paisley by stating, among other things, “I’ll see you in hell” and “you’ll rot in hell.”
Taran Nolan credibly impersonating Paisley on social media. Ms. Nolan admitted to this misconduct.
Taran Nolan destroyed personal property belonging to James Nolan, Paisley
Nolan, Jimmy Nolan, and Daisey Nolan. Ms. Nolan’s counsel took issue with the court using the term “break-in.”
But the court used that term because Taran Nolan admitted that she went into the home after she moved out…
The court has rigorously analyzed the evidence in this case to determine whether the protected parties have, in fact, been victimized. Mr. Nolan and the children all testified that this abuse has been extremely traumatic. They have all testified that they continue to fear for their safety. The court found this testimony credible, reasonable, and compelling and the court concludes that the protected parties have been victimized within the meaning of the Domestic Violence Protection Act.
Based upon the totality of the admissible evidence presented, the court characterizes the incidents of abuse as aggravated, significant, and prolonged.
The court finds that Ms. Nolan is the primary aggressor.
As to Taran Nolan’s Request for Restraining Order:
“The court finds that Ms. Nolan failed to meet her burden of proof as to her allegation that the following acts of abuse occurred:
James F. Nolan intentionally or recklessly caused or attempted to cause bodily injury to Taran Nolan
James F. Nolan placed Taran Nolan in reasonable apprehension of imminent or serious bodily injury to her or to any of the parties’ minor children
James Nolan pushed Taran Nolan off her wheelchair at the bar
James F. Nolan attacked Taran Nolan or any of the parties’ minor children
It should be noted as to the claim that Mr. Nolan violently threw Ms. Nolan from her wheelchair, it would seem reasonable that if such conduct was reported to the police as Ms. Vanzandt testified, that Mr. Nolan would have been charged with battery/assault/domestic violence. There was no evidence that this occurred.
James F. Nolan sexually abused/assaulted Taran Nolan or any of the parties’ minor children
James F. Nolan struck Taran Nolan or any of the parties’ minor children
James F. Nolan stalked Taran Nolan or any of the parties’ minor children
James F. Nolan credibly impersonated Taran Nolan or any of the parties’ minor children
James F. Nolan harassed Taran Nolan or any of the parties’ minor children
James F. Nolan destroyed the personal property of Taran Nolan or any of the parties’ minor children
James F. Nolan neglected Taran Nolan
James F. Nolan financiaL coercion over Taran Nolan by cutting her off from all finances
James F. Nolan locked Taran Nolan in her room and/or refused to allow the parties minor children help their mother”
Taran Nolan Court Abuse: Court Whistleblower Rebuts Judge’s Claims of Misconduct by Disabled Mother
A source has come forward under the condition of anonymity, directly challenging the narrative presented in the sealed court minute order issued by Judge Kimberly Carasso.
“There was nothing that was disorderly by Tar at all,” the source said.
“She’s paralyzed. She can’t even use her hands—how could she possibly harm anyone?”
The source described Nolan’s demeanor during court proceedings as emotional but not disruptive.
According to the source’s account, Nolan reacted verbally on one or two occasions when false allegations were made, but never escalated.
“She just said things like, ‘That’s not true!’
She was responding to being accused of things that didn’t happen.
It wasn’t yelling. It was emotional—but anyone would have responded the same way.”
The source also highlighted how Nolan’s physiological responses were misunderstood by the court. Specifically, the source referenced an involuntary neurological reaction known as “planking.”
“I forget the medical term for it, but that happens sometimes when someone in her condition is overwhelmed,” the source explained.
In medical contexts, planking refers to an involuntary stiffening or freezing of the body—a neurological response often seen in individuals with spinal cord injuries or traumatic brain injuries (TBI). It is typically triggered by anxiety, sensory overload, or psychological distress—not by conscious misconduct or aggression.
“She has a traumatic brain injury, and I don’t know to what degree, but her body just reacts that way,” the source emphasized.
Despite this, the source emphasized that at no point was the courtroom ever actually disrupted:
“There was a sheriff present the entire time, and he never had to get involved.
There was no threat, no yelling, no confrontation—nothing like that.”
The source also noted chilling courtroom warnings:
“It was said—people could be held in contempt if they talked about what happened—because of the media, they said.”
Reflecting on the outcome, the source expressed deep concern:
“I don’t understand how they came to that ruling. I was shocked.”
When asked about Taran Nolan’s overall character, the source did not hesitate:
“She’s so kind. So polite. Always says thank you.”
This firsthand testimony directly challenges the credibility of the court’s sealed findings and highlights the urgent need for greater transparency and accountability in family court proceedings.
The court’s April 16, 2025 order did not merely mischaracterize Taran Nolan’s courtroom demeanor. It also adopted a series of allegations about her physical actions that, according to witnesses and video evidence, distort the reality of her severe disabilities.
The next section examines one of the most extraordinary—and implausible—claims endorsed by Judge Carasso: that a quadriplegic mother in a wheelchair “attempted to intentionally ram” her children and estranged husband.
Disability Distorted: Witnesses Refute Court’s Wheelchair Claim and Abuse Allegations
One of the most sensational claims in Judge Carasso’s April 16, 2025 ruling alleges that a quadriplegic woman in a wheelchair attempted to intentionally “ram” her estranged husband and children. Judge Carasso’s ruling states:
“Taran Nolan intentionally and/or recklessly caused or attempted to cause bodily injury to James Nolan, Jimmy Nolan and Paisley Nolan… specifically… attempted to intentionally ram James, Paisley, and Jimmy Nolan with her wheelchair.”
The court also referenced the incident a second time:
“The court also finds that in the incident where Jimmy’s foot was broken at the bar, the evidence does not establish that the conduct was intentional by Ms. Nolan. Rather, it was reckless… the ramp was clearly not safe and did not appear to be constructed for ADA purposes…”
But video evidence and multiple eyewitness interviews obtained by this publication tell a very different story.
The footage, captured at Shooters Cocktails in Mission Viejo, California, shows no evidence of intentional aggression.
Instead, it documents a dangerous fall—followed by what witnesses describe as coordinated manipulation and intimidation by James Nolan.
Witnesses who were present or directly involved say the truth was completely distorted. It was an accident. The wheelchair tipped, and Taran Nolan fell forward out of her chair.
Witness reporting under condition of anonymity:
“That wheelchair was a struggle for her to even operate. She couldn’t move fast if she tried. The idea that she was ‘ramming’ anyone is a complete mischaracterization. I saw her fall out of that chair—she wasn’t charging anyone. She was in danger, not causing it.”
Witness reporting under condition of anonymity:
“She wasn’t even capable of navigating tight spaces without assistance. That wheelchair was barely responsive. There’s no way she ‘rammed’ anyone.”
When asked directly whether Taran could ever be physically violent, a caregiver was emphatic:
“Absolutely not. She’s a quadriplegic. She can’t even lift her arms. I help her get dressed. The idea that she could harm someone is just… impossible.”
In a separate interview, Savana VanZandt recounted the incident:
“I saw Jimmy pick her up — and then drop her.”
Savana also described James Nolan directing his children to seize Taran’s phone during the chaos:
“I heard Jimmy tell the little one to grab the phone. And then that’s when they grabbed the phone from her.”
“Little Jimmy grabbed the phone because Big Jimmy told him to.”
“They got in the car and were screaming. I don’t remember exactly what, but I remember little Jimmy was saying something, like, ‘You’re not getting this…'”
Private investigator Brian Heaney also raised critical, unanswered questions about the setup:
“Why did James Nolan drive up to the side entrance of the sports bar, park just steps from the side door… and let his son enter the bar? Who was videoing and why?”
“She ushered her son out of the sports bar — out the same entrance he came through — right to his father, who was right outside that side door.”
Taran Nolan Court Abuse: Weaponizing a Fall
What the video and witness testimony describe is not a violent act by a disabled mother, but a dangerous fall—followed by a calculated effort to seize control of the narrative.
Rather than acknowledging Nolan’s vulnerability, the court ruling grotesquely reimagined her physical collapse as an act of aggression.
Judge Carasso’s adoption of the “intentional ramming” claim becomes not merely implausible, but deeply dishonest—especially when set against the reality of a woman who, at the time, could not lift a cup, feed herself, or safely navigate an uneven floor without assistance.
Another Sensational Court Claim Falls Apart: The So-Called “Break-Ins”
Another sensational claim in Judge Carasso’s April 16, 2025 ruling alleges that Tar Nolan “broke in” to her own home. According to the ruling—and James Nolan’s testimony—these alleged “break-ins” occurred in the days and weeks after Taran relocated herself and her wheelchair to a hotel on May 17, 2022, due to escalating neglect and unsafe conditions at the residence.
Among the accusations made by James Nolan were claims that during these so-called break-ins, Taran:
Stole her own money
Trashed a child’s bedroom
Stole baseball cards and tooth fairy money
“Traipsed poison” across a child’s bedroom floor
Yet multiple witnesses—including those present during each retrieval—paint a very different picture based on firsthand experience.
What Actually Happened: Retrievals of Essential Belongings
Because Taran was a quadriplegic and physically unable to retrieve her belongings herself, she relied on trusted friends and caregivers to assist her.
Here’s what the evidence and sworn firsthand accounts reveal:
May 19, 2022: Retrieval With No Forced Entry
Interview with Tamera VanZandt:
“The front door was unlocked. We didn’t break in,” Tamera said. “Tar and I went in, I got the items she asked for—a backpack and sundresses—and left. That’s it.”
May 29, 2022: Clothing Retrieval for Travel
Interview with Savanah VanZandt:
“It was Kenzie, Kayla, and me. We went to grab a dress Tar wanted and other clothes. She was flying to see her dad the next day.”
“We got her clothes and a box and left—that’s it. We didn’t take anything else.” — Savana VanZandt
Interview with Kenzie VanZandt:
“Oh, I remember this day. We went there to get more things for her because she was going out of town and wanted a certain dress. She also asked us to grab the box under her bed—we didn’t open the box, just grabbed what she asked.”
“The house was a mess. We just got her stuff and left.” — Kenzie VanZandt
June 17, 2022: Police-Authorized Entry After Locked-Out Access
Interview with Savanah VanZandt:
“It was me, Kenzie, and Kayla. We went to grab the stuff Tar wanted—her medical equipment, the urn, and some of her clothes.”
“We couldn’t get into the house. Tara was on the phone with the police. She asked permission—that was the time she got permission to break the window.”
“Tar said, ‘I can’t do this. Kayla, you have my permission to throw it at the window.’ She physically couldn’t do it.”
“After we got in, we grabbed her stuff and left. Then we waited in the Target parking lot because we were afraid.”
“We were afraid of Jimmy—we were told he was nearby. Kenzie was crying. We waited at Target while Taran called the police back to tell them she got her things. Then we came back and got her after she was done talking to the police.”
“No one destroyed anything inside the house. Just the window. We didn’t touch anything else. We didn’t traipse poison around, we didn’t steal tooth fairy money or baseball cards.” — Savana VanZandt
Interview with Kenzie VanZandt:
“We get there in the van and everything, and of course, everything is zip tied and we couldn’t get anything. So she calls the police.” — Kenzie VanZandt
“There was a gate outside the front door, and we couldn’t get through because he zip tied the gate shut. He’s obsessed with zip ties.”
“We couldn’t get into the house. Tar was on the phone with the police. She asked permission—they gave her permission to break the window.”
“No one destroyed anything inside the house. Just the window. We got Tar’s stuff. We didn’t take tooth fairy money. We didn’t touch anything else. We were there five to seven minutes.” — Kenzie VanZandt
Summary: No Break-In, No Theft, No Poisoning
Eyewitness accounts directly refute James Nolan’s inflammatory claims about break-ins and theft.
What occurred were peaceful retrievals of essential belongings—with police knowledge and permission—carried out by trusted friends helping a disabled mother who was physically barred from accessing her own home.
There was no vandalism, no theft, no poisoning, and no criminal intent—only desperate efforts to protect Taran’s health, dignity, and legal rights under incredibly difficult and threatening circumstances.
Once again, witness testimony and hard evidence reveal a disturbing pattern: serious allegations against Taran Nolan were accepted without scrutiny, while the truth was sealed away.
Another Wild Allegation: A “Slap” That Never Happened
Another sensational and unfounded claim in Judge Carasso’s April 16, 2025 ruling alleges that Taran Nolan instructed a family friend to slap one of her daughters.
This so-called “friend” was identified by name in the ruling—but notably, was never permitted to testify.
From the ruling:
“Taran Nolan attacked [child] Nolan. As stated above, the court finds there was sufficient evidence to establish that Ms. Nolan instructed [her friend] to strike [child] across the face…”
Yet the alleged friend, speaking to this reporter under condition of anonymity, flatly denies the court’s claims—and points to James Nolan as the original source of the rumor.
In an interview, the source explained that the false allegation dated back two years earlier, originating with James Nolan, and was now being weaponized in court without any opportunity for rebuttal:
“I want to be clear: I never hit [child]. That never happened. I was there to help. Tar wasn’t violent. She couldn’t be. And she never asked me—or anyone else—to do anything harmful to her kids.”
— Source reporting under condition of anonymity
No Evidence. No Testimony. No Cross-Examination.
Despite adopting this serious accusation as fact, the court never allowed the alleged friend to testify under oath.
No independent evidence—no police reports, no corroborating witness testimony, no documentation—supported the claim.
Once again, the April 16 ruling relied entirely on unchecked allegations, while silencing key witnesses who could have directly refuted them.
Grief Weaponized: The Urn Photo Mischaracterized
Judge Carasso’s April 16 ruling also pointed to a 2022 social media post featuring the urn of Taran’s deceased daughter Micki—an urn designed in the shape of a teddy bear and lovingly placed in a car seat—as further evidence of cruelty, harassment, and emotional trauma.
But those who knew the true context say the court’s portrayal was not only wrong—it was cruel in itself.
“They framed her grief as aggression. That photo of her daughter’s urn? That wasn’t a threat or cruelty—it was heartbreak. But the court turned that into supposed evidence of harassment.”
— Witness reporting under condition of anonymity
The teddy bear urn, meant as a memorial and a comfort, was distorted into yet another weapon against a grieving mother.
Taran Nolan Court Abuse: Pic from a social media post in 2022 of Micki’s Teddy Bear Urn.
The distortion of evidence, the silencing of critical witnesses, and the mischaracterization of grief all point to a court process that abandoned truth in favor of a predetermined narrative.
Taran Nolan Court Abuse: Dr. Christine M. Cocchiola, DSW, LCSW Instagram Post. April 18, 2025. Link to Instagram Post
Rewriting Reality: Court Ruling vs. Eyewitness Testimony
The contradiction between the court’s findings and the evidence from eyewitnesses is not just disturbing—it’s disqualifying.
Judge Kimberly Carasso’s April 16, 2025 ruling relied on inflammatory phrases like:
“Ramming”
“Break-ins”
“Threats to kill with fentanyl”
“Harassment”
Yet none of these claims were substantiated by neutral witnesses.
In fact, multiple allegations were directly and specifically refuted by people who were there—many of whom were either prevented from testifying, sharply limited, or had their statements mischaracterized and minimized by the court.
Importantly, James Nolan did not present a single neutral witness to corroborate his narrative.
All of Taran Nolan’s testimony of abuse and neglect
Medical evidence documenting her declining health and caregiver neglect
Eyewitness accounts supporting Taran
Credible witnesses with no financial or legal stake in the case
Why It Matters
What’s at stake here is not just the truth of what happened in one courtroom.
It’s whether a disabled mother was railroaded by a system determined to silence her.
It’s whether a judge deliberately distorted the record to preserve a narrative rather than deliver justice.
And it’s whether the Orange County Superior Court’s family division—already under scrutiny—is complicit in systematic abuses of power.
This isn’t an isolated anomaly.
Similar judicial distortions have occurred elsewhere, including:
The Mogavero Case (family court misconduct and record manipulation)
Multiple cases detailed in this reporter’s series on OC Superior Court’s court-approved custody evaluator, Jessica St. Clair, who was exposed for fraud and bias
Recent developments from the Arizona Joint Ad Hoc Committee Hearing on Family Court Orders, where public testimony and legislative hearings—starting April 14, 2025—have sparked overdue media exposure and immediate demands for reform in family courts across the nation (link to hearing)
The problems documented in this case reflect a national crisis—one that can no longer be ignored.
Taran Nolan Court Abuse: Testimony Ignored, Truth Twisted
Throughout the 2025 hearings, multiple witnesses provided detailed accounts of abuse and neglect—not by Taran Nolan, but by James Nolan.
Yet their testimony was ignored, belittled, or erased by the court.
Witnesses reporting under condition of anonymity described what they saw:
“The house was disgusting. The kids were sleeping on soiled mattresses.
Tara was denied access to proper care, her meds were misused or withheld.
And somehow the court calls her the aggressor?”
Another source shared:
“She was isolated and devastated. She had no voice.
And the court never heard the full truth.
They made her trauma out to be manipulation.
They used her injury and emotional state to discredit her.”
“I never saw her be anything other than loving and desperate to see them.
This idea that she was dangerous to them is heartbreaking—and false.”
Media Retaliation and Courtroom Hostility
Multiple sources reported that Judge Kimberly Carasso openly displayed anger about media coverage exposing the court’s handling of the Nolan case.
The courtroom atmosphere shifted dramatically after the January 27, 2025 article exposing the court’s failures went live.
“It felt like the whole hearing shifted once the article came out,” said a source reporting under condition of anonymity.
“She [Judge Carasso] was furious. She threatened sanctions, threatened a mistrial, and closed the courtroom.”
Rather than addressing legitimate concerns raised by witnesses and by the media, the court retaliated against those who dared to speak.
Instead of welcoming transparency, it chose to punish it.
Credible Testimony Dismissed
Despite extensive firsthand knowledge and professional caregiving experience, credible witnesses in the Nolan case were systematically discredited, minimized, or mischaracterized by the court.
Ellen Taylor, a friend of fourteen years, was technically found “credible.” However, Taylor reported that her testimony was twisted and misrepresented by the court.
Reportedly, during questioning, Tar was repeatedly accused of being a liar. At one point, overwhelmed and defeated, she responded:
“I guess I’m a liar.”
Tamara VanZandt, a caretaker and direct witness to abuse and neglect, was dismissed entirely—Judge Carasso citing Tamara’s affectionate “boop” on Taran’s head as supposed evidence of bias.
Meanwhile, James Nolan’s accusations—unsupported by any neutral witnesses—were accepted wholesale.
The court did not simply ignore testimony; it actively erased the truth in favor of a carefully constructed narrative.
Taran Nolan Court Abuse: Source Details Alleged Manipulation and Neglect in the Nolan Household
A source reporting under condition of anonymity, who has known Taran Nolan for over 16 years, came forward to share what she described as years of witnessing emotional abuse and disturbing manipulation by James Nolan.
Her account paints a troubling picture of a household upended not just by tragedy—but by control, coercion, and retaliation.
“She was one of the best moms I’ve ever met. Her whole life was dedicated to those kids,” the source recalled.
“She came to my class, always had dinner made before the kids’ Speed Kills racing practices, and somehow managed it all while putting her family first. Her entire life revolved around making sure they were taken care of.”
According to the source, the story about Taran allegedly instructing someone to hit her daughter Paisley was not only false—it was allegedly manufactured by Jim.
“Jim coached her. I know Jim. He’s very manipulative.
If you want to investigate anything, investigate what he’s saying to get these kids to say horrific things about their mother.”
The source said the allegation that she slapped Paisley emerged suddenly two years ago, despite her years of being a trusted figure in the family’s life.
“Paisley used to sit in my lap and ask to stay the weekend with me.
Then out of nowhere, I’m being accused.
I told Child Protective Services everything. I work with special needs kids—I would never hurt a child.”
She recounted multiple instances of Jim belittling the children and using harsh discipline—often in the absence of any meaningful emotional support following the accident that left Taran quadriplegic and claimed the life of their youngest daughter, Micki Valentine.
“There was no therapy allowed in that house.
The kids weren’t even enrolled in school anymore because the school psychologists would’ve been all over them,” she said.
“Instead, they were in a toxic environment where he used his authority to keep everyone quiet.”
The source confirmed that after the accident, Jim confined Taran to a downstairs room while sleeping upstairs alone every night.
“He built a room for her downstairs but never came down to sleep beside her.
One night when I stayed over at her hotel, she said, ‘This is the first time someone’s slept next to me since the accident.’ That broke me.”
She also recalled a night when Taran called her overheating because no one downstairs would help her turn off the fireplace.
The source had to drive over to assist her.
On the Accusations of Breaking Into Her Own Home
“How do you break into your own home? That was her house.
And the money? That was her business money from the cat business she made.”
The source said the final straw came when CPS contacted her about the slap allegation.
At that point, she told the social worker everything she had witnessed.
“I told them about how Jim treated the kids, how he hit Jimmy, and belittled them constantly.
I didn’t want to destroy this family—but I wasn’t going to stay silent when lies were being used to take away their mom.”
She closed with a warning:
“Jim’s done this because I know everything.
I’ve known them before and after the accident.
And I know he’s the one coaching the kids.
This is about control—and it’s cost those children their mother.”
The Press Under Scrutiny: Judge Carasso’s Rebuke Contradicted by Court Record and Personal Conflict
Judge Carasso’s hostility did not stop at targeting Taran Nolan.
She took direct aim at the press—specifically, this reporter—writing in her final ruling that this journalist was merely:
“…the author who published the rather inaccurate accounts of what purportedly transpired in the courtroom.”
Yet the court record tells a very different story.
Court Documents Validate the Reporting
Documents obtained show that on February 6, 2025, a formal court filing acknowledged the accuracy of this reporter’s coverage.
The filing specifically stated that the January 27, 2025 article captured specific and accurate events matching courtroom proceedings.
In fact, the filing went so far as to request the sealing of the entire case file, warning:
“Court investigators such as Julie Anderson-Holburn pick up on these pleadings… It only engenders more anger and concern among followers of Ms. Anderson-Holburn’s reporting…”
The brief clearly reflected the court’s concern that independent reporting was accurately exposing what was happening inside a courtroom otherwise shielded from public view.
A Judicial Double Standard
Despite this admission, Judge Carasso later dismissed this reporter’s work as inaccurate and irrelevant in her final order.
This glaring contradiction reveals not only an effort to discredit independent journalism, but also judicial sensitivity—and hostility—toward public accountability.
Rather than correcting the injustices exposed by the press, the court tried to silence and delegitimize the messenger.
Then Came the Personal Conflict
On or after February 21, 2025, Judge Kimberly Carasso was newly assigned to this reporter’s own family law case following the filing of a new court action.
Given the extensive, critical reporting already published about Carasso’s conduct in Nolan v. Nolan, my legal counsel immediately filed a request for her disqualification.
Citing allegations of “judge shopping,” Carasso denied the request—thus placing me, a journalist actively investigating her courtroom conduct, under her direct judicial authority.
A Judicial Entanglement That Crosses the Line
This kind of entanglement is not just unethical—it is dangerous.
Under California Code of Civil Procedure §170.1(a)(6)(A)(iii), a judge must disqualify themselves if a reasonable person would doubt their impartiality.
The refusal to step aside in this context raises serious concerns about retaliatory abuse of judicial power.
Moreover, the courtroom was reportedly closed following publication of my January 27, 2025 article, and multiple witnesses—including Tamera VanZandt and Amber Pisco—confirmed that Judge Carasso directly responded to the reporting by:
Threatening sanctions
Threatening a mistrial
Expressing visible outrage from the bench
These facts point to more than coincidence.
They suggest a calculated attempt to chill free speech and discredit independent press coverage.
An Assault on Press Freedom
The First Amendment enshrines the right of journalists to report on matters of public concern—including the conduct of judges.
When the very judge under investigation places herself in a position of judicial authority over the journalist reporting on her, it sets a chilling and dangerous precedent—not just for me, but for every reporter who dares to hold public power accountable.
Taran Nolan Court Abuse: Not Just a Matter of Tone or Opinion—A Structural Conflict
This is not about tone.
It is not about disagreements in interpretation.
It is a structural conflict of interest—with profound implications for press freedom, judicial ethics, and constitutional rights.
If journalism is to serve as a meaningful check on the judiciary,
it cannot be met with threats of retaliation from the bench itself.
A System That Enables Alienation, Lies, and Retaliation
Judge Carasso’s April 16, 2025 ruling reads less like an impartial judicial finding and more like a script delivered by James Nolan.
Key allegations appear drawn directly from one-sided narratives—unsupported by physical evidence or neutral testimony.
Meanwhile, Taran Nolan’s disabilities, medical trauma, and vulnerability—facts that should have commanded protection—were twisted into evidence of danger.
Financial control and abuse also played a critical role in Taran Nolan’s isolation and decline—yet it remains another piece the court ignored.
Witnesses confirmed that Taran had no direct access to her own finances, including her trust funds, disability benefits, or basic living expenses.
This financial deprivation caused interruptions in her medical care, physical rehabilitation, housing stability, access to food, and her basic physical safety.
The added financial stress further endangered her fragile health and survival—yet it was never treated as evidence of abuse by the court.
This systemic failure to recognize financial abuse as a form of coercive control will be fully explored in a follow-up article.
Violation of California Law: Elder and Dependent Adult Abuse
Under California’s Elder Abuse and Dependent Adult Civil Protection Act (Welfare and Institutions Code §15600 et seq.), courts are mandated to protect disabled adults from neglect, isolation, and financial exploitation.
Taran Nolan—a quadriplegic mother dependent on others for survival—fell squarely within the law’s protections.
Yet despite overwhelming evidence of neglect, financial deprivation, and medical endangerment, the court not only failed to act—it sided with the alleged abuser.
California law defines neglect to include failure to assist in personal hygiene, provision of food, shelter, and medical care.
Witnesses and medical experts documented each of these failures inside the Nolan home.
The law existed.
The evidence existed.
The court chose to ignore both.
Taran Nolan Court Abuse: The Silencing of a Mother—and the Manipulation of Her Children
Perhaps most disturbing of all:
Taran’s children have been removed from their disabled mother—and told a story she can no longer publicly correct.
Witnesses described how:
The children were discouraged from visiting her.
Some were threatened.
Others were silenced or pushed away.
Meanwhile:
The court sealed evidence.
The court restricted access.
The court turned away witnesses who could have contradicted the favored narrative.
And throughout, this reporter’s independent coverage—initially cited by the court’s own filings as accurate—was later discredited when it became inconvenient.
The weaponization of secrecy and silence allowed a distorted narrative to take root—not only in court, but in the lives of vulnerable children.
A County in Crisis
This case is not an anomaly.
It is a symptom of a deeper sickness within Orange County’s judicial and political institutions.
This is the environment where a quadriplegic mother was silenced, where truth was distorted into fiction, and where the system protected itself—at the cost of justice, truth, and human lives.
Conclusion: When the Bench Becomes the Bully
What happens when a quadriplegic mother in a wheelchair becomes a threat?
What happens when a journalist who reports on it becomes a target?
This is not justice.
This is retaliation wrapped in a robe.
The Taran Nolan case has exposed not just one broken family, but an entire system—a system that punishes the vulnerable, discredits the press, and protects its own narratives at all costs.
Orange County’s family court, as it currently operates, cannot be trusted to fairly evaluate evidence, protect children, or respect constitutional rights.
This article may not change Judge Carasso’s ruling.
But it will not be sealed.
It will not be redacted.
It will not be dismissed.
Because silence is complicity—and journalism, real journalism, refuses to be complicit.
More on the Investigation into the Tar Nolan Case and Related Orange County Family Law Cases:
