Judge Separates Twins In Rare Custody Ruling

Identical twin sisters have been separated by a judge in an unusual custody ruling, with one going to the father and the other going to the mother.

“They shouldn’t be separated,” said James Raymond, the girls’ paternal grandfather, adding that they were crying over being apart. “There is something different about twins. There seems to be a bond.”

The 10-year-old girls, Sheena and Tara Raymond, were temporarily separated last week by Plymouth County probate Judge James R. Lawton. Another hearing was set for June 30.

The parents, Dana and Jean Raymond of Wareham, about 45 miles south of Boston, were divorced about a year ago. They had been taking two-week turns with the children before the mother filed to change the arrangements.

“It really stinks ‘cause I’m not used to being away from Tara,” said Sheena, who is living with her mother.

The sisters still attend the same school.

Dana Raymond’s lawyer, John E. Murphy, said it appeared the judge believed the children wanted such an arrangement.

“It’s very rare to separate siblings,” especially identical twins, Murphy said.

Prominent divorce lawyer Monroe Inker of Boston wasn’t familiar with the case. But, “In general, it’s very rare to separate the siblings. Courts don’t like to do that,” he said.