Tenn. Judge Who Ordered Baby's Name Change Charged with Misconduct

Wouldn't let parents name child "Messiah"

An East Tennessee magistrate who ordered a baby's name changed from Messiah to Martin has been charged with violating the state's Code of Judicial Conduct.

Child Support Magistrate Lu Ann Ballew ordered the name change during a paternity hearing Aug. 8.

At the time, the parents were disputing the 8-month-old baby's surname. Mother, Jaleesa Martin, hoped to keep the name she had given the boy— Messiah Deshawn Martin — and father, Jawaan McCullough, wanted the baby to bear his last name.