Judge’s Unexpected Lesson Turns a Teen’s
The Smirk That Changed Everything In Cedar Falls, Iowa, twelve-year-old Ethan Morales stood before Judge Patricia Weller, accused of harming an elderly neighbor. His smirk drew national attention — a symbol, many said, of fading empathy among youth. Judge Weller, known for her firm compassion, chose an unconventional punishment: a mentorship-based rehabilitation program. There, under…