Biden's commutation of sentence for 'kids-for-cash' judge infuriates Pennsylvania mother, who claims it ruined her son's life.

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A Pennsylvania mother criticized President Biden after he pardoned a corrupt judge who gave lenient sentences to juveniles in exchange for large sums of money.

After spending eight months in juvenile detention, Sandy Fonzo's son Edward Kenzakoski took his own life. In response, she appeared on "FOX & Friends" to share her message with the president.

On Monday, Fonzo told Steve Doocy that Joe Biden had campaigned multiple times as "Joe Scranton," claiming to be one of us and understanding our struggles, but this is not true.

"He is not one of us."

Fonzo called for reform of the system related to presidential pardons and commutations.

She continued, "I want his name removed because it's just another slap in the face, another injustice, on top of all the grief that our community has already endured."

The kids-for-cash scandal involved former Judge Michael Conahan, who shut down a county-run juvenile detention center and accepted $2.8 million in illegal payments from the builder and co-owner of two for-profit lockups. Another judge, Mark Ciavarella, was also involved in the illicit scheme, and its effects are still felt among victims and families today.

Judge Ciavarella ordered children as young as 8 years old to detention for minor infractions such as petty theft, jaywalking, truancy, and smoking on school grounds. Many of these children were first-time offenders deemed delinquent. The judge often shackled, handcuffed, and took away these youths without giving them a chance to defend themselves or say goodbye to their families.

In 2022, both Conahan and Ciavarella were ordered to pay more than $200 million to nearly 300 people they victimized, but it's unlikely the now-adult victims will see even a fraction of the damages award.

The largest-ever judicial corruption scheme in Pennsylvania resulted in the state's supreme court discarding over 4,000 juvenile convictions affecting more than 2,300 children.

Biden commuted Conahan's sentence, which was over 17 years in prison for accepting kickbacks to send juveniles to for-profit detention centers.

In 2010, Conahan, 72, pleaded guilty to one count of racketeering conspiracy and was sentenced to six years in prison. However, he was released to home confinement in 2020 due to COVID-19 health concerns, with three years left in his sentence.

"Fonzo was overwhelmed with a range of emotions upon hearing the news, including hurt, defeat, and now, after more time to reflect, she feels mostly anger. This news has left her deeply upset and affected her personally."

Last week, Biden granted clemency to nearly 1,500 people and 39 pardons in the largest single-day act of clemency in modern history.

Fonzo's son, who was involved in an underage drinking incident and was locked up for months, eventually committed suicide.

"Fonzo stated that when his son came out, it was eight months ago. He was not the same person as before. He was filled with anger and bitterness, and he refused to accept any form of counseling. He would not look anyone in the eye. Fonzo cannot fathom what happened to his son in the facility, and he tries not to think about it, but he never fully recovered."

"These judges possessed complete control, with absolute power and no one could challenge them or take action."

Since the lawsuit began in 2009, other kids who fell victim to the "kickback" scheme have died either by overdose or suicide.

"He ruined my son's life and mine. He ruined multiple lives," Fonzo declared.

"Numerous children have tragically lost their lives, not just my son. One of them was an eight-year-old boy named Charlie, who was featured in our documentary and bravely spoke out about the issue. Unfortunately, he too has passed away. Many children are still grappling with the aftermath."

This report was contributed to by Michael Dorgan of Planet Chronicle, Matt Finn, and The Associated Press.