Defendant accused of Defamation

A contentious legal battle over parental rights and alleged defamation has emerged in Wake County, North Carolina. On November 19, 2025, Ember Seaman appealed a protective order issued by Judge Margaret P. Eagles on September 24, 2024, in the Wake County District Court. The case involves Steven Wetherington and centers around custody disputes and accusations of defamatory actions against a former parenting coordinator.

The dispute between Ember Seaman and Steven Neal Wetherington involves their two children amidst ongoing custody proceedings. Initially sharing joint custody as per a 2021 Consent Custody Order, tensions escalated when a Parenting Coordinator (PC), Amy Britt, was appointed in September 2023 to facilitate the execution of custody orders. The PC’s directive for communication through the Our Family Wizard platform became a focal point of contention. Prior to this appointment, Wetherington had sought modifications to custody arrangements and requested psychological evaluations for Seaman.

Seaman’s actions following the termination of the PC’s role in April 2024 led to further legal complications. She filed a Motion for Order to Show Cause against Wetherington in June 2024, accusing him of impersonation on the OFW platform. Her subsequent subpoenas targeting communications between Wetherington and the former PC were met with objections from Britt, who labeled them as baseless and derogatory. The court’s protective order quashed these subpoenas and restricted Seaman from making public references or online posts about Britt or her law firm.

Seaman’s appeal contends that these restrictions infringe upon her First Amendment rights. However, her failure to raise these constitutional arguments at trial resulted in their waiver on appeal. Despite this setback, she continues to challenge the validity of the trial court’s findings regarding her alleged harassment and defamation of Britt.

In seeking relief from the appellate court, Seaman aims to overturn restrictions on her speech concerning Britt while contesting findings related to her motives behind issuing subpoenas and posting online reviews. Meanwhile, Wetherington supports maintaining these protective measures as necessary for preserving judicial processes and protecting involved parties from undue harassment.

The attorneys representing both sides include Michael S. Harrell from Manning, Fulton & Skinner for Seaman and Alicia D. Jurney from Parker Bryan Britt Tanner & Jenkins for non-party appellee Amy Britt. Judges Tyson, Wood, and Freeman presided over this appellate decision under Case ID COA25-2938.