New Horizon Press
P.O. Box 669
Far Hills, NJ 07931
$21.95

This book describes a father's two- and one-half-year legal battle for custody of his son after he was falsely accused of sexual abuse. The allegations surfaced after the father noticed inflammation in his son's genitals while bathing him and told the child's mother. The mother then called the police and the father was charged with sexual abuse. The case was referred to a "social worker," who later admitted she lacked an appropriate degree and who shredded all her notes. Since during his visits prior to the allegations, the father had shown his son a "Ghostbusters" () video with a scene involving "Marshmallow Man," the father was referred to as the "Marshmallow Man" by the investigators. The fantasy and lack of reality in the video was brought out in the criminal trial. The father retained an effective attorney and was acquitted, but spent thousands on his defense. Two years later, he was awarded custody of his son in family court.

The book is easy to read and in 29 chapters gives a frightening account of a false allegation of sexual abuse. The book will be of interest to anyone in a conflicted divorce and custody situation as it describes how the system devised to protect children can break down.

Reviewed by LeRoy G. Schultz, Emeritus Professor, West Virginia University.