- Judge Cynthia Lopez, 47, recused herself from the Sidney Southerland case on Monday
- The mother of two claims the judge contacted her on the swingers app 3Fun
- Southerland created a profile message with the judge's photo, saying she was looking for “hot, sexy fun” with other couples
A New York judge has recused herself from a child custody case after a mother claimed she tried to woo her on a swingers app.
Sidney Southerland showed a message allegedly sent to her by Judge Cynthia Lopez, 47, on 3Fun, an app for “sexually free singles.”
Her alleged profile included a photo of the judge in a skimpy dress and high heels and stated that she was part of a couple “looking for hot, sexy fun” with other couples.
Lopez withdrew from the custody hearing in Southerland on Monday in a brief virtual conference call with her attorneys.
This came after Southerland claimed that Lopez contacted her on January 24, gave her name “Cynthia” and asked how she was doing.
Sidney Southerland claims she was contacted via the swingers app 3FUN by a judge overseeing a custody case
The mother of two claims she was approached by Bronx Family Court Judge Cynthia Lopez
Southerland claimed she recognized the judge from the suggestive images used in the profile from her numerous court interviews
The profile listed her as bisexual and said she was in a relationship with a man named “Ant.”
“We’re a complete swap.” [couple] in one (n [ethical non-monogamy] dynamically looking for hot, sexy fun with other full exchange partners [couples] and single ladies,” the profile read.
“We love fat girls just as much as petite girls!” Ultimately, it depends on personality. Men should be stocky at most, and I, the woman, prefer men who are moderately talented.
Southerland said she immediately recognized the photo in the profile and replied, “Damn, you know who the fuck I am,” before she was quickly blocked.
The mother said she first met Lopez in the courtroom in February 2022 and has seen her virtually and in person several times since then.
She said she was stunned when she came across the profile.
“She's wearing lingerie, she's sitting on the sofa wearing high heels, she's got this long, long list about her that you can read.” “I know it's her because I've seen her in court before” said Southerland to .
Southerland posted about the situation on TikTok and X, sharing images of the profile and the message she received. The posts caught the attention of child welfare officials, who then apparently sent an email to the courts indicating that the mother posed a “legal threat” to Lopez.
Lopez recused himself from the Southerland case on Monday
The profile claimed the woman was in a relationship but was looking for “hot and sexy fun” with other couples
Southerland said she first met Judge Lopez in February 2022 and has seen her several times since then, virtually and in person
Southerland's children, Saniya, now 9, and Saint, 4, were abducted by the city's child care agency in February 2022.
The deportation came after police officers stormed her mother's apartment in the Bronx on July 28, 2021 and arrested Southerland. This is according to a lawsuit she filed against the police in September 2022, which said they did not provide a reason.
She has had several run-ins with the law over the years, pleading guilty to assault three times between 2015 and 2017. In each case, she received psychological counseling or a suspended sentence.
Southerland's complaint was forwarded by ACS to the Office of Court Administration.
“Because the court has been made aware of this matter and placed it under review, it would be unwise to provide further comment at this time,” said OCS spokesman Al Baker.
Lopez declined to comment to the New York Post and directed all inquiries to the OCA.
Lopez was appointed as a Bronx County Family Court Judge on June 14, 2021.
She is a member of the Latino Judge's Association, the New York City Family Court Judge's Association and the New York State Judge's Association. Judge Lopez is also a member of the Family Court Advisory and Regulatory Committee.
According to Southerland's attorney, George Gilmer, she will be replaced in the custody case by Judge Fiordaliza A. Rodriguez.
has contacted the New York courts and the ACS for comment.