Chris Ambrose’s Psychopathy Score: A Wake-Up Call for Family Court and Child Protection Services
Days after 16-year-old Mia fled from her father, he embarked on a mission to force her back. Mia sought refuge with her mother.
However, Chris Ambrose of Madison, CT, chased Mia with his car, involved the police, stalked her at her workplace and her mother’s residence, and managed to obtain a restraining order against her mother on Mia’s behalf. In a twist of justice and against Mia’s preferences, she found herself separated from her mother’s protection.
Connecticut Family Court Judge Thomas J. O’Neill, who issued the restraining order, made Mia and her brothers, Matthew (16), and Sawyer (13), homeless, leaving them even more vulnerable to their persistent father, Christopher Ambrose.
Karen Riordan, the children’s mother, turned to Dr. Bandy Lee, MD, MDiv, a forensic psychiatrist and expert on violence, in a bid to protect her children from their father. The original purpose of Dr. Lee’s visits with Riordan was to assess the mother so that she could provide testimony to the court as to where the children should live.
Upon examining the situation, Dr. Lee came to believe that Ambrose exhibited psychopathic tendencies.
Dr. Lee employed the Hare Psychopathy Checklist–Revised (PCL-R), the gold standard for diagnosing psychopathy. This condition is defined by a lack of empathy, a conscience deficit, cruelty, deceit, and anti-social actions. Psychopaths have a predatory and manipulative approach in relationships, causing widespread harm to those they encounter.
On May 3, 2023, Dr. Lee conducted the PCL-R test on 61-year-old Christopher Ambrose.
The PCL-R uses a 20-item symptom construct, where each answer is scored between 0 and 2. A total score of 30 or above indicates psychopathy. Typically, non-offenders score around 5, while many non-psychopathic criminals score about 22. The PCL-R doesn’t depend primarily on interviews since psychopaths often lie and manipulate.
According to Dr. Lee, Ambrose’s score was 32, placing him firmly within the psychopathy range.
Dr. Lee noted that to make a fuller diagnosis, Ambrose should be interviewed. However, she pointed out that an assessment of psychopathy relies more on actual behavior patterns, reports from victims, and interviews with those familiar with the individual, like relatives, friends, and colleagues.
Dr. Lee said:
“It is a common characteristic of psychopathic individuals to mislead, cheat, or otherwise violate the rights of other people.
“They, through a superficially charming presentation, are often capable of eliciting exceptional levels of sympathy from others as an effective means of escaping accountability for their violence—for example, they may recruit others as ‘patrons’ or ‘pawns’ to help them turn the narrative around to incriminating their victims instead.”
The statements of a psychopath to an evaluator using the Hare Checklist are not deemed reliable.
Dr. Lee, a former faculty member at Yale School of Medicine and Director of Research for Harvard’s Center for the Study of Violence, highlighted that a PCL-R score of 30 or more is alarming and may even contraindicate parenting. Ambrose’s score of 32 suggests a psychopathic diagnosis or, at the least, alarming psychopathic traits.
Dr. Lee pointed out once of Ambrose’s traits:
“Separating growing children from their mother and primary caregiver [which Ambrose did] is one of the worst forms of abuse, which can have lifelong ramifications as well as decades of loss of life for each child—and can be a sign of this dangerous personality disorder.”
Dr. Lee has an extensive resume: she contributed to the World Report on Violence and Health for WHO, co-wrote the UN Secretary General’s chapter on “Violence Against Children”, and spearheaded the 2014 Global Status Report on Violence Prevention. With over 100 peer-reviewed articles, 17 edited scholarly publications, and a textbook titled “Violence: An Interdisciplinary Approach to Causes, Consequences, and Cures” to her name.
She also expressed concern over the family court’s ability to recognize “successful” psychopaths.
Dr Lee wrote:
“The family court system or child protection services are often ill-equipped to deal with ‘successful’ psychopaths, such that their litigation abuse has amounted to an international crisis, as declared by the United Nations, as a form of violence against women and children.”
Ambrose’s PCL-R breakdown, leading to a total of 32 points out of a possible 40, is as follows:
- Glibness/superficial charm: 2
- Egocentricity/grandiose sense of self-worth: 2
- Proneness to boredom/low frustration tolerance: 2
- Pathological lying and deception: 2
- Conning/lack of sincerity: 2
- Lack of remorse or guilt: 2
- Lack of affect and emotional depth: 2
- Callous/lack of empathy: 2
- Parasitic lifestyle: 2
- Short-tempered/poor behavioral controls: 2
- History of promiscuous sexual relations: 1
- History of early behavior problems: 0
- Lack of realistic, long-term plans: 2
- Impulsivity: 2
- Irresponsible behavior: 2
- Frequent marital relationships: 0
- History of juvenile delinquency: 0
- Revocation of conditional release: 0
- Failure to accept responsibility for own actions: 2
- Many types of offense: 2
In 2013, Dr. Lee’s expertise was recognized when an evaluation she wrote for a San Francisco violence prevention project won the Ash Institute Award. The plan she wrote was adopted in U.K., Poland, New Zealand, Singapore, and Mexico.
But now the violence prevention Dr. Lee is concerned about involves three teenagers from Connecticut, banned from their protective mother, and now fled to an undisclosed location in NY to avoid their father, who is hunting them from place to place.
Dr. Lee warned, “This potential for Mr. Ambrose’s dangerousness, especially where children are involved, should not be overlooked.”
See Dr. Lee’s letter on Ambrose psychopathy:
See Dr. Lee’s report to DCF as a mandated reporter
Frank Parlato 
Janine Morrison 
J.J. O'Hara 
Richard Luthmann 
Marie White 
Paul Serran 
Please leave a comment: Your opinion is important to us!
[…] Chris Ambrose won’t let his children live with their mother or allow them to be happy anywhere. He wants them all to himself. Frank Parlato 2:04 am 32 Comments […]
Frank’s girlfriend recently had her Birthday!
I wonder how they celebrated…
Mmmh!
It’s worthy of contemplation.
She’s so hot she melts plastic and chocolate.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CxfxZ9FrgO3/?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
The second that the judges realized they screwed up on this case and that only have they been duped by Chris but by thousands of other psychopathic abusive fathers us protective Mother’s need to jump on it and make sure this never happens again and that they hire the correct people that like doctor Lee that can spot out abusive psychopathic fathers so we and our children could hopefully be safe or we should use this opportunity to close down the family courts for good.
And force the states to have to pay to protect women in criminal court when we come forward and say that crimes are being committed against us like violence coercive control financial abuse these are crimes and need to be handled in criminal court.
Family court should be obliterated and I hope that Chris Ambrose’s case is the case that closes all family courts in America and stops abusive fathers from utilizing it to get access and further abuse and murder children and mothers in the state of Connecticut And nationwide.
Not one more child not one more mother should have to die at the neglect of family court, and its being an instrument for abusive fathers who are psychopathic and act normal in society yet behind closed doors are monsters just like Chris and Allan Kassenoff to gain power, control =custody.
These kids need to hightail it to Mexico.. that’s the only way they can get away from this psychopath!!
Sure teenage runaways will do greeeeat in Mexico. You must want them to be human trafficked.
Cuda represents a psychopath. Great job needle and Cuda.
“After listening for almost twenty-five years to the stories my patients tell me about sociopaths who have invaded and injured their lives, when I am asked, “How can I tell whom not to trust?” the answer I give usually surprises people. The natural expectation is that I will describe some sinister-sounding detail of behavior or snippet of body language or threatening use of language that is the subtle giveaway. Instead, I take people aback by assuring them that the tip-off is none of these things, for none of these things is reliably present. Rather, the best clue is, of all things, the pity play. The most reliable sign, the most universal behavior of unscrupulous people is not directed, as one might imagine, at our fearfulness. It is, perversely, an appeal to our sympathy.”
― Martha Stout, The Sociopath Next Door
Re Dr. Brandy Lee’s Expertise:
I thoroughly researched Dr. Lee and can state with certainty – she is an expert in her field.
Lee is beyond reproach!
She’s appeared in court – hours of her own time because she believes Chris Ambrose is extremely dangerous.
His teen children agree.
The courts need to admit they’ve been hoodwinked by this nut job in combination of the wife’s attorney being admittedly incompetent.
That combo would get the outcome wrong. Let it go now Ambrose.
Your actions are psychotic. No one hunts their kids with the police!
He speaks about it like it’s a reasonable response 😂🤣
Dangerous how? Karen is the one who wants her teens to be homeless runaways. She is still using them as pawns against her ex, without regard for their well-being. Congratulations kids on flunking out of your junior year of high school. But at least you made mommy happy by showing her that you choose her.
Beyond reproach? Lee was fired from her unpaid position with Yale for unethical behavior.
Yea, like Yale THE MENS SOCIETY can be trusted…hahaha that’s hilarious!!!
Just like Yale students are hilarious
Thanks so you agree her former association with Yale means nothing.
Yale student unruly. Beating on the walls as a presenter attempt to discuss case about religion. The laws of the land guided by an institution that doesn’t enforce professional conduct. Yale has received a significant millions of dollar donations by a gentleman from California. The man’s son broke his wife facial bone according to the news paper. Yale is a mens rights law school. Child welfare is not the subject of study. They are have violent offender program. It’s a men’s rights college. These colleges like Uconn receiving millions from what appears to be men’s rights groups. The donation to Unconn was made 5 months before the wife filled for divorce. Adult children and the husband wants her evaluated. The continued practice of using psychology to gain control in family law cases. The law student at Yale are encouraged to behave like animals during a presentation. ” freedom of speech” Dr. Lee is fired for making a statement about the appearance of someone’s mental health. Yale has an agenda.
Nice Guy – I guess you missed the whole part about Dr. Bandy Lee’s termination from Yale University for doing essentially the same thing to someone else – diagnosing them publicly without ever having interviewed or even met them.
She sued Yale and lost . An appellate court upheld that decision. She is unethical.
You don’t need an expert to see Ambrose is a psycho.
I’m sure Ambrose will sue! He sues everyone who advocates for the teenage children. 🤣
Let’s see…
Empty lawsuits by Chris Ambrose – another sign of a psychopath:
1. Attacked Edward Kim for contributing to FR. Threatened him and sent letters to all of his supervisors and colleagues.
2. Threatened Rich Luthmann.
Made false claims to Madison Police who then contacted his probation officer with Ambrose’s lies!
3. Luthmann in turn met with probation, provided evidence against Ambrose and is counter suing Ambrose.
4. Sent obsessive letters to get Frank in prison. Lies upon lies in victim impact statements.
5. The judge and prosecutors disregarded all of his efforts.
6. Ambrose claimed under oath that the prosecutors came looking for his help!
7. Godmother Michelle Pawlina. Made false police report to Madison Police and then sued her for over a year. Drained her with frivolous motions costing $20,000.
After a year Ambrose had still not resubmitted his BS complaint and Judge Wilson slammed Ambrose and dismissed his case with prejudice!
8. Threatened nearly every family member and lifelong friends – NOT to contact HIS children- to add to their isolation and misery.
One sick sick pup.
Doesn’t he also owe an attorney money?
Doesn’t Karen owe multiple attorneys money?
What happened with the restraining order? Since when is a RO used to force kids away from the parent they want to be with?
Did this articles featured photo capture Chris Ambroses’ farther face?
Fart! He’s a Fart face
Who else would do this but a psychopath? The men who do this are at least narcissists- most are sociopaths- that includes psychopaths. Been there done that- they abuse for life- it’s still going in 12 years after divorce
” no eithical attorney would diagnose a person, however GALs do it all the time. I think the doctor could perform an opinion based on Ambrose’s actions and conduct. Many people have been receiving services to get help after abuse. The mental health professionals treating their parents for narrsatic abuse brought in from former spouse. We all can all see the symptoms.
No ethical psychiatrist would “evaluate” someone they had never met, based solely on the opinions of an estranged spouse in a nasty custody battle. There is something way off about this.
I don’t think she actually gave a diagnosis – she hasn’t treated him and if she did some HIPAA violation would have occurred
Check out her CV. She’s not been paid a penny.
No motivation other than to protect the kids.
It’s not a custody battle. These are family court crimes by vendors of the AFCC
Chris Ambrose did his homework, learned the game and won’t let it end. He’s a fool.
Most dads at least love their kids and give them a good life. The kids suffer the loss of their mom no doubt, but Ambrose is a true psycho- incapable of love and parenting.
Bandy Lee is soooo unethical.
“ she pointed out that an assessment of psychopathy relies more on actual behavior patterns, reports from victims, and interviews with those familiar with the individual, like relatives, friends, and colleagues.”
Right. You don’t diagnose a person based on a report from one person, a vindictive ex-wife. Bandy Lee, heal thyself.
If you read her report linked in the story you will note that she studied documents and heard recordings. She said her report was not conclusive and suggested that the courts order an evaluation of a potentially very dangerous man.
The only information she has about him comes from Karen! Ridiculous. And a brief look at her Twitter feed shows her to be friendly with Catherine Kassenoff, Robbie Harvey, and an anti-family court activist. Hardly an unbiased observer…
Sounds like the kind of army coming to a theater near you
The courts have evaluated both of them over and over. But I guess any time it doesn’t go the way someone wants they can just scream corruption.
With all due respect. There is a pattern of behavior from Chris over years. Getting fired ECT. Karen seemly was an upstanding citizen and caring mother. If you follow the fatherhood initiative maternal gatekeeping parental alienation claims all mothers are hysterical and “crazy” . The court appointed psychologist just rubber stamp. Follow the funding. Anyone else out side the court system psychologist is attached threatened and discruntaled. Personal experience. Follow the bouncing ball. It’s a cookie cutter in Connecticut family court.
nor can one reason w a psychopath, apparently.
Astounding that the nonsensical report of a Phoenix University type PhD custody evaluator paid for by Ambrose (Beverly what’s her toes) is taken as gospel but the report of MDs (Dr Lee, Yale Hospital MDs, etc) that actually are evidenced based medicine are wholesale disregarded.
It’s a shame that there’s no end in sight for these teens and their mother because Ambrose warped ego and delusions won’t allow for a better outcome.
Clearly he intends to continue with this maniacal, scorched earth harm to his family but what else can be expected from a psychopath (and just proves his psychopathy all the more)
Nothing left to do but pray for these teens and their mother, that one day they have peace in their lives. Some way. Some how.
“Right. You don’t diagnose a person based on a report from one person, a vindictive ex-wife. Bandy Lee, heal thyself.”
Hey Ambrose you wanna cut my lettuce?
Oh wait, I’m not on your fav website young Hispanic boys….
You’re a goddamn pedo. Sick fuck!!!!!
Why don’t you take your albino, pasty, white ass and layout in the sun and die.
You look like a marshmallow took a shit.
What’s up with the racist comments?
The only way to diagnose a narcissist and a psychopath is by their own behavior it is not hard for her to be able to diagnose chris because look how he has been exposing his own behavior, just like Allan…
What kind of a good father would chase their child on the road when everyone knows that is dangerous…. And anyone else would have been arrested for doing so.
See how these abusive men come on here and make comments and only pick out these little points of the bigger picture… it makes them completely exposed.
You both are textbook psychopathic abusers.
Why is dcf not protecting these teens?
With Dr Lees evaluation supporting the history of conduct experienced by the kids, there should be no doubt he is a danger.
Because Bandi Lee is a known whack job with major personal bias here.
From the transcript:
“… WE WERE WONDERING, IF WE HAD A DUTY TO INFORM THE PUBLIC, IF WE FELT THAT THEY WERE IN DANGER. IN FACT, WE WERE CONCERNED ABOUT DANGER FROM THE START. I ASKED MY COLLEAGUES AND THEY SHARED MY CONCERNS.
IT WAS IN FACT, PRETTY MUCH A CONSENSUS. NO ONE WOULD PUT THEIR NAMES FORTH IN ANY OF THE LETTERS THAT I TRIED TO WRITE TO CONGRESS, OR ANY STATEMENTS I WAS HOPING TO MAKE.
I THOUGHT THE SILENCE WAS RATHER ODD AND PERHAPS, A PROBLEM. SO I DECIDED TO ORGANIZE A CONFERENCE. …”
How many good family court judges, attorneys and therapists working in the state are afraid to speak up about blatant and dangerous corruption they witness in “family court” cases?
Dr. Lee saw the need for everyone to speak up and she had the courage to do something about it.
I don’t agree with her political views. I do admire her courage. This world needs more people with that kind of intelligence and that kind of courage right now.
That was February 1, 2018.
Five years later, President Joe Biden has dementia. He showered with his daughter and sent $200 billion dollars to stoke World War III. Hamas bombed Israel today. According to Wikipedia, “The group’s ideology outlines its aim as the liberation of Palestine and the restoration of Palestinian rights under the dispensations set forth in the Qur’an, and this translates into three policy priorities:
To evoke the spirit of Jihad (Resistance) among Palestinians, Arabs, and Muslims; to defend Palestinians and their land against the Zionist occupation and its manifestations; to liberate Palestinians and their land that was usurped by the Zionist occupation forces and settlers.”
“The Biden administration has issued a waiver to allow the transfer of $6bn in frozen Iranian funds from South Korea to Qatar as part of a deal to free five Americans detained in Iran. …”
“Something is VERY WRONG HERE, something is very strange, this chain of events is very unusual and not typical for the Israeli defense system.“
https://efrat.substack.com/p/israel-hamas-war-an-update
Did Albert Pike write a letter to Giuseppe Mazzini in 1871?
“The First World War must be brought about in order to permit the Illuminati to overthrow the power of the Czars in Russia and of making that country a fortress of atheistic Communism. … At the end of the war, Communism will be built and used in order to destroy the other governments and in order to weaken the religions. …
The Second World War must be fomented by taking advantage of the differences between the Fascists and the political Zionists. This war must be brought about so that Nazism is destroyed and that the political Zionism be strong enough to institute a sovereign state of Israel in Palestine. During the Second World War, International Communism must become strong enough in order to balance Christendom, which would be then restrained and held in check until the time when we would need it for the final social cataclysm. …
The Third World War must be fomented by taking advantage of the differences caused by the “agentur” of the “Illuminati” between the political Zionists and the leaders of Islamic World. The war must be conducted in such a way that Islam (the Moslem Arabic World) and political Zionism (the State of Israel) mutually destroy each other.
Meanwhile the other nations, once more divided on this issue will be constrained to fight to the point of complete physical, moral, spiritual and economical exhaustion … We shall unleash the Nihilists and the atheists, and we shall provoke a formidable social cataclysm which in all its horror will show clearly to the nations the effect of absolute atheism, origin of savagery and of the most bloody turmoil.
Then everywhere, the citizens, obliged to defend themselves against the world minority of revolutionaries, will exterminate those destroyers of civilization, and the multitude, disillusioned with christianity, whose deistic spirits will from that moment be without compass or direction, anxious for an ideal, but without knowing where to render its adoration, will receive the true light through the universal manifestation of the pure doctrine of Lucifer, brought finally out in the public view.
This manifestation will result from the general reactionary movement which will follow the destruction of Christianity and atheism, both conquered and exterminated at the same time. …”
If you want justice and peace in family courts (or in the world) learn about the history of what happened before deciding how to help.
For example: “The bitter struggle between Arab and Jew for control of the Holy Land has caused untold suffering in the Middle East for generations. It is often claimed that the crisis originated with Jewish emigration to Palestine and the foundation of the state of Israel. Yet the roots of the conflict are to be found much earlier – in British double-dealing during the First World War … “
If you want to know what the British have to do with the family court crisis in America, the history of the British “Tavistok Institute” is … interesting.