MADISON, Wis. — A story published by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Thursday morning has raised questions about state Supreme Court candidate Judge Jennifer Dorow.
The family of a teen who died from fentanyl poisoning in his University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee dorm in 2021 wants more answers from the Dorow family, especially the candidate's son.
Cade Reddington from Waunakee, Wis., will forever be 18 years old.
A student at UW-Milwaukee, Reddington was out with friends on the night of Nov. 3, 2021. He took what he thought was a Percocet, but it turned out to be 100% fentanyl.
Police gave Reddington four rounds of Narcan, which can reverse the effects of an opioid overdose, but they couldn't save him.
Spectrum News 1 first shared Reddington's story nine months ago during a special report about “Fighting Fentanyl” in Wisconsin.
At the time, Reddington's family said they had a pretty good idea about where the pill that killed him came from. However, it wasn't until Thursday that those allegations were made public.
Remaining anonymous in a piece written by columnist Daniel Bice, two friends of Reddington told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel in the weeks leading up to his death Reddington bought prescription pills from Michael Dorow.
Michael Dorow, who is 19 years old, is the son of Waukesha Co. Circuit Court Judge Jennifer Dorow, who is currently running for a seat on the Wisconsin Supreme Court.
Reddington's friends went on to tell the Journal Sentinel that on the evening of his death, Reddington told them he was going to buy a so-called “perc,” an opioid to treat pain, better known as Percocet, from Michael Dorow.
Those friends also said they last saw Reddington and Michael Dorow together about three hours before Reddington passed away.
Now they wonder if Michael Dorow gave Reddington the pill that killed him.
Michael Dorow has not been charged with any crime in the case, which is still under investigation by UW-Milwaukee police.
Reddington's family also told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel that they heard Michael Dorow has hired an attorney and is not answering questions, which is something that he has the right to do.
Meanwhile, Judge Jennifer Dorow has spoken out. Her campaign released a statement that called for “decency” in the election and stated that since her children aren't running for office, they should be off limits.
“The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel published a story this morning that mentions my son and another young man, who died tragically," the statement read. "My heart aches for his parents. I am very sorry for their loss, and I pray that they somehow find comfort and peace. Every day at work, I see firsthand the devastating effects that illegal drugs have on our community.
"I love my current role as judge, and I’d be honored to be called justice, but the most important title to me will always be mom. Like every mother, I love my children more than anything in this world. I am shocked that the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and some of my opponents think it's ok to use my son for their own political ends.
"I understand that by putting my name on the ballot I invited scrutiny about myself and my actions. My children aren’t running for office and they, and every candidate's kids, should be off limits. We need to restore a sense of decency in our elections.”