Trevor Braden, MD86 Willow StreetSouth Portland, Mf04106

May 15,2009

Dear Mr. Altshuler;

I am writing to you concerning Mila Malenko and my family's ongoing carefor her when her mother, Lori Handrahan, needs assistance. Also includedin this letter will be an unofficial assessment (in the role of neighbor andfriend) of Lori's competency as a mother.

I have gotten to know Lori and Mila through neighborhood interactions overthe last year or so. Soon after meeting Lori, my wife, Lisa, began to offerchild care. The relationship rapidly grew as we learned more and moreabout Lori's struggles and needs. Through this close relationship I haveseen the interaction between mother and daughter and am continuouslyamazed at Lori's determination and fortitude. Mila, too, has proven to bevery resilient, in large part, I believe, because of Lori's excellent care.Currently we see them both at least 3-5 times per week under numerouscircumstances and we provide primary care for Mila when Lori hasprofessional obligations.

Lori is truly an exceptional mother. Her care, dedication, devotion,sacrifice, and deep love for Mila is evident every second of every moment Ihave seen them interact. I have never seen her raise her voice to Mila. Evenwhen she returns from international travel, exhausted, Lori is consistentlykind, gentle, thoughtful, and loving with Mila. When away, Lori calls Milaseveral times a day and often has long chats with her on the phone prior tosleep. Mila is clearly Lori's top priority and I have seen Lori repeatedlyschedule her professional obligations around Mila, Unfortunately thiscomes at the detriment of Lori's social life which at this point appears toonly consist of the occasional neighborhood, family potluck dinner orbirthday party. The clearest example of her dedication is Mila, who, despitethe turmoil of divorce and transfers, remains a happy and loving child full of

wonder for the world. Mila is both independent in many of her activities aswell as fully engaging with the people around her. She exhibits anexceptional confidence and is a true joy to spend time with. Mila is certainlythriving under Lori's care, even under the less than ideal circumstances.

Lori appears to be under constant strain from her ex-husband, Igor, whomshe has to face four days a week during the transfer of Mila. Several pointsthroughout the year, she has gotten so uncomfortable facing her ex-husbandand his lawyer that my wife and I have offered to accompany her to thetransfer at the local recreational center. For several months we made it apoint to offer this service 3-4 times a week as support for Lori and we stilljoin her on occasion when she is feeling particularly vexed. During all thesetransfers and in all my interactions with Lori, I have never heard her utter anegative comment about her ex-husband in front of Mila. She has shownimpressive self-restraint and clear boundaries when it comes to her actionsaround her child.

At this point I can say that I know both Lori and Mila very well and haveseen how they respond under the duress and struggle overvisitationlcoparenting.

Recently Lori has shared her ex-husband's latest motion to the court askingthat Mila be removed from primary residence with her mother. This is anabsurd request and certainly makes me question Igor's best intentions torMila. It would be outrageously damaging to Mila with profound effects onthe rest of her life. To remove a child of two and a half from the strongmother-child bond that has developed between Mila and her mother wouldbe unconscionable and the damage to Mila would be irreversible. I do notknow what evidence is being presented by Igor's lawyer but there is nothingthat I have witnessed that could justify such a move.

Another concerning element in Lori and Mila's situation is the court'sdecision to keep Lori from moving back to her friends, connections, andwork in Washington D.C. For most of her adult life Lori has lived in D.C.where she has developed her career and set deep roots. The decision tomove to Maine was to be only temporary. However, now that her family isin tatters" she is stranded in a place with few friends and a strainedprofessional life. I bring this up in the context of Mila's best interest.Certainly having her mother surrounded by a strong social network and astable professional life is in Mila's best interest. I have met some of Lori's

Sincerely,

Washington D.C. friends when they have visited. One in particular broughther family- two girls whom Mila delighted in playing with. Knowing Lorias well as I do, I cannot understand why the court has ruled to shackle her toa place with so few supports.

I have recently learned that Lori is facing increasing pressure from heremployer to move back to D.C. Unfortunately, Maine does not offer similaremployment opportunities and the financial strain this puts on Lori ismounting. Lori has appeared to have tried all avenues to reason with her ex-husband and find some middle ground whereby she can move from Maine,with little success. My understanding is that Igor's employment is muchmore flexible- in fact, Lori has told me that he is considering returning toschool. So, besides the developmental and social reasons for the move, thefinancial one seems to be fairly prominent as well. Is Mila's best interestreally being held as primary?

In summary, my wife and I have become quite attached to Mila. She is anexceptional child caught ina difficult situation. I believe that there could beno better care for Mila than with her mother. We have enormous respect forLori as a mother, a parent, and a primary earner for Mila. I strongly urge thecourt to do the right thing by Mila and allow Lori to relocate to Washington,D.C. and dismiss her ex-husband's attempt at primary custody. As I haveargued previously, this would seriously undermine Mila's futuredevelopment into the beautiful and engaging child she is sure to become.

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Trevor Braden, MD