OC Judge’s Orders Lead to Premature Birth: Baby Sahara Fights for Life

From my series on California Judges: The good, the bad, and the…Orange County

Jan 25, 2025

Orange County Superior Court Judge Eileen Solis and Thomas Lo are reportedly disregarding both court parenting guidelines and a report of abuse, putting a vulnerable family at risk. These controversial decisions are alleged to have worsened the health complications of Samantha Polly’s high-risk pregnancy, ultimately leading to an emergency C-section in January 2025. Samantha’s daughter, Sahara Wind, was born prematurely at just 2 pounds and remains in the NICU at Providence Mission Hospital, fighting for her life. Doctors have warned that Sahara may need a blood transfusion next week due to ongoing complications. Meanwhile, the father has left Samantha, their 1-year-old son, and baby Sahara in the NICU without resources or a car. He has also filed to delay a child support hearing scheduled for February 20, 2025, potentially pushing the case months down the road.

As Samantha recovers from surgery, she struggles to balance visits to the NICU and caring for her son, Jade, all while facing a contentious legal battle with her ex-partner. This case highlights troubling discrepancies between judicial rulings and parenting guidelines designed to prioritize child safety, raising critical questions about accountability in Orange County’s family court system.

Emergency C-Section

On January 2, 2025, Samantha underwent an emergency C-section, delivering Sahara Wind two months prematurely. Weighing just 2 pounds, Sahara is now in the NICU, fighting for survival.

Samantha, still recovering from surgery, travels to Providence Mission Hospital every other day for skin-to-skin contact with Sahara. Without transportation of her own, she relies on friends for assistance. Sahara remains on a feeding tube, too small to breastfeed. Samantha pumps breast milk to nourish her daughter while also managing the care of her 1-year-old son at home.

Samantha’s Ongoing Fight

Now a mother of two under 13 months, Samantha is determined to care for her children despite immense challenges. She continues to pump breast milk for Sahara and strives to visit the NICU regularly, though transportation and financial constraints often limit her ability to do so.

Samantha urgently needs support for child care costs and transportation to ensure Sahara receives the daily maternal interaction critical to her survival. Those wishing to help can contribute via the following platforms:

From Love to Abuse: A Timeline of Trauma

Mazhar and Samantha in better times. December 31, 2021 and April 2023. Photo by Julie M Anderson Holburn

Samantha Polly and Mazhar Mahmood met in 2018 through an OC family law firm. Later in 2021 they began dating and moved in together. Their relationship took a dark turn in 2023 when Samantha became pregnant. According to Samantha, the abuse—both emotional and physical—began almost immediately.

“He told me, ‘You’re f***ed now that you’re pregnant,’” Samantha recalled, citing documents obtained.

Mazhar allegedly skipped prenatal appointments and their baby shower. After their son, Jade, was born in January 2024, Samantha claims his involvement was minimal. Instead, Mazhar reportedly pressured her to agree to a 50/50 custody arrangement, threatening to fight for full custody if she refused.

Samantha objected, citing Mazhar’s behavior and the alleged drug use of both him and his adult children, whom she refused to allow near her infant. Her refusal reportedly enraged him, leading to further abuse. He allegedly threatened her, saying, “Let’s see what man would pick you knowing your past. I’ll ruin you.”

Financial and Emotional Abuse and Abandonment

By June 2024, Mazhar reportedly cut off financial support, leaving Samantha, her unborn baby and baby Jade without resources. In September, he had her car repossessed, further isolating her.

On October 4—Samantha’s birthday—Mazhar allegedly left their shared home and filed for custody. Days later, on October 12, he left for a two-month vacation in Cabo San Lucas, leaving Samantha, her son, and her unborn child in severe emotional, physical, and financial distress. Documents confirm that the stress led to Samantha being referred to high-risk prenatal care in late October.

Samantha's request for DVRO. October 3, 2024. Photo by Julie M Anderson Holburn

Court Orders Add Stress

Court documents reveal Judge Thomas Lo acting as a duty jduge, denied Samantha’s requests for a restraining order October3, 2024 citing “no facts indicating abuse under FC 6203.”

Samantha also requested a temporary move-away order utilizing OC’s family court services process to access family support during her high-risk pregnancy, and post delivery care, but Solis denied the request. Instead, Solis ordered a 730 custody evaluation, a process known to be invasive, costly, and lengthy. Oddly enough the case was assigned to Judge Nancy Kasch however court staff immedaiely announced at the hearing the case was moved to Judge Eileen Solis.

Samantha's DVRO request denied by Judge Lo. October 3, 2024. Photo by Julie M Anderson Holburn

Samantha’s deposition, originally scheduled for January 23, 2025, was postponed due to complications from her recovery. Meanwhile, Mazhar has reportedly not visited or met baby Sahara in the NICU. His only inquiry, according to records obtained, was a request for paternity testing—something baby Sahara is too fragile to undergo.

Evidence of Threats

This reporter reviewed documents and social media posts corroborating Samantha’s claims. In audio recordings from early 2024, Mazhar can be heard yelling at Samantha, issuing threats such as:

“You’re making me sick. I need you out of my f***ing life. Go to an attorney—I’ll get 100% custody. I’ll ruin your credit, take your car, and bring up everything from your past.”

In another recording, he shouted:
“Get the f*** out of here. Shut up. I’m going to show you the downside, and when you see it, I’ll laugh. You’ll get nothing from me.”

Social media posts raise additional concerns, showing Mazhar’s adult daughter inhaling food-grade nitrous oxide ( view social media post here) and displaying gang-related tattoos.

OC Parenting Guidelines Contradicted

Orange County Superior Court’s parenting guidelines emphasize stability and safety for children under three, explicitly advising against exposing them to environments involving domestic violence, substance abuse, or intense parental conflict. An excerpt states:

“When a child’s physical or emotional safety is at risk, it is necessary to protect the child. Parents who have concerns about these issues should seek help from an attorney, mental health professional, or local social service agency.”

Despite these principles, Judge Solis’s orders appear to prioritize lengthy custody evaluations over the immediate safety and well-being of Samantha and her children. (View document here)

Orange County Parenting Guidelines, page 21. Spring 2005.Photo by Julie M Anderson Holburn

Who Is Judge Eileen Solis?

Eileen Solis was appointed to the Orange County Superior Court by Governor Gavin Newsom on May 3, 2024. (View press release here) Before this, she served as a Commissioner at the court from 2022 to 2024. Solis’s legal career includes time as a sole practitioner and as an attorney at various firms, including Amezcua-Moll & Associates and Brown & Charbonneau LLP. She holds a Juris Doctor degree from Western State College of Law and is registered without party preference.

Call to Action

As baby Sahara fights for her life, this case raises urgent questions about judicial accountability and the enforcement of family law guidelines. Will Orange County Superior Court recognize its role in this tragedy, or will families like Samantha’s continue to suffer under its rulings?

If you have had similar experiences within the California family court system, please contact this reporter ASAP.

Whistleblowers and victims of family court, CPS, probate court, foster care corruption within the US, please contact this reporter at juliea005@proton.me.

This article is made possible by donations from readers like you and can be made here. Thank you for your support!

Learn more about my ongoing investigative series uncovering corruption in Orange County and its family court system:

California Judges: The good, the bad, and the…Orange County, part two

OC Father Charged with 13 Felony Fraud Counts; The Victims of Jessica St. Clair, Part Six - Lies, Abuse, and Systemic Collusion

OC Man Charged with 5 Felony Counts of Molestation: Family Court and CPS Ignored Reports for Years

Whistleblowers expose the Orange County family court crisis

Whistleblowers reveal corruption in Orange County family courts and beyond

California’s Family Court Crisis: The Failure of Oversight and the Impact of Dr. Sue Tonkins

California Family Courts: Dr. Joan Meier Exposes Bias and Systemic Failures

Orange County reunification therapist deceives courts about credentials

OC Bar Association says “I just want to protect my children” means “I just want to screw my ex”

The victims of Jessica St. Clair, part three