An unnamed judge presided over a court hearing regarding the welfare of Bobby Costello in May 2022. Social services placed an emergency protection order, arranging for Bobby to stay with his great-aunt Wendy Blissett. His mother Mercedes McQueen challenged the order, and was accompanied to the hearing by lawyer James Nightingale. James told the judge that Wendy was attempting to sabotage Bobby and Mercedes's relationship due to wanting full custody of Bobby. Wendy told the judge that Mercedes was an unfit mother, also producing examples of 'situations' that had occurred. The judge ultimately decided that the protection order would be carried out and Bobby would remain in the care of Wendy.