MARIETTA, Ga. — All parents, or at least most of them, can rejoice after a judge has officially banned the Elf on the Shelf from appearing this holiday season.
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Cobb County (Ga.) Superior Court Chief Judge Robert Leonard made the order Thursday as his "gift to tired parents."
In the order, Leonard wrote that the Elves are a distraction to school students and a "risk to the emotional health and well being" of children.
"When these Elves do not move, it leaves our children of tender years in states of extreme emotional distress," the order reads.
Leonard even shared a personal memory as a reason for the banishment.
"The undersigned recalls a horrific incident in his own home where three children were sent to school in tears, with one child being labeled an 'Elf Murderer' and accused of making the elf 'lose his magic.'"
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While the order is only lawful in Cobb County, Leonard believes his act was born out of necessity.
"Tired of living in Elf on the Shelf tyranny? Not looking forward to the Elf forgetting to move and causing your kids emotional distress? I am a public servant and will take the heat for you," tweeted Leonard.
The Elf banning comes the same week an Ohio police department warned residents about putting up Christmas lights too early.
Tired of living in Elf on the Shelf tyranny? Not looking forward to the Elf forgetting to move and causing your kids emotional distress? I am a public servant and will take the heat for you. My gift to tired parents.
— Judge Rob Leonard (@JudgeLeonard) November 4, 2021
P.S. - If you love your elf, keep your elf. No contempts. pic.twitter.com/JcqAOljbAS
