Children Turn Out To Honor Judge

Saturday, December 8, 2012

— Circuit Judge Mark Fryauf was surrounded earlier this week by adoptive and foster children whose cases he has presided over since becoming judge in July 2011. He is leaving the bench at the end of the year.

Staff with the Arkansas Department of Human Services and CASA held a farewell party to honor Fryauf.

Linda Scribner, an ad litem attorney through the Arkansas Administrative Office of the Courts, said Fryauf has handled about 30 adoptions since taking the bench.

Kelly Krout, who has five children ranging from 2 to 7 years old, came to show her gratitude to Fryauf. Krout and her husband have one adopted son and one foster son. Fryauf finalized the adoption of their 2-year-old son.

“We support Judge Fryauf,” Krout said. “He’s always been good to our kids.”

Debra Frinzell-Mack and her husband, Erich, have four adopted children. Fryauf was the judge for two of the adoptions. Their 6-year-old daughter did a short dance for the judge at the party.

“We hate to see him leave,” Frinzell-Mack said. “He’s been a big part of our kids’ lives. We always felt that he cared when we walked out of his courtroom. We care about him and are very grateful to him.”

Erich Frinzell-Mack said he was also appreciative of Fryauf and wanted to show his gratitude.

“He’s done a lot of good things here,” Erich Frinzell-Mack said.

Fryauf said the children he has helped are special to him.

“These are the success stories,” Fryauf said as he looked at laughing and smiling children. “How can you not get emotional when you see this.

“I’m going to miss this job. It’s the best job in Benton County.”

He was appointed to replace retiring Circuit Judge Jay Finch but lost in an election to Rogers District Judge Brad Karren.

Bentonville attorney Tom Smith will replace Fryauf as juvenile judge.

Jon Comstock was appointed in July 2011 to replace the retiring Circuit Judge David Clinger. Fryauf and Comstock couldn’t run for the appointed positions in the election, so they each ran for the other position.

Karren defeated Fryauf for the Division 2 judgeship. Smith defeated Comstock, whose term also ends Dec. 31. Karren and Smith will be sworn in Jan. 2.

Fryauf gave up his legal practice in Rogers when he took the bench, and he hasn’t made any career plans for the next phase of his life.

“I hope to find something to do to work with kids,” he said. “There’s a plan for me out there.”