A heated legal battle has erupted in Sacramento County, California, where a resident is embroiled in a defamation lawsuit. The plaintiff, David Tom, filed the complaint on October 6, 2025, against Elizabeth Holt in the Sacramento County Superior Court. The case accuses Holt of defamation through libel and slander, false reporting to child protective services, and inflicting emotional distress.
The complaint paints a vivid picture of familial discord and legal accusations. According to Tom’s filing, the conflict began when Holt allegedly made false statements about him to both private individuals and public agencies. These statements included accusations of abuse or neglect towards their mutual child, Logan Tom. Tom claims that these defamatory remarks were made with malicious intent and were aimed at damaging his reputation within the community and among relevant agencies like the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS).
Tom asserts that Holt’s actions went beyond mere negligence; he describes them as a deliberate campaign of parental alienation and emotional abuse designed to undermine his credibility and relationship with his child. He alleges that these actions led Logan to make unfounded reports to DCFS under Holt’s influence. Despite an investigation by DCFS finding no basis for these allegations, Tom states that the damage was done — resulting in emotional distress for both him and his child.
In his complaint, Tom outlines several causes of action: defamation through libel and slander, false reporting to DCFS directly or through manipulation of their child, intentional infliction of emotional distress, and negligent infliction of emotional distress. He argues that Holt acted with actual malice or reckless disregard for the truth.
Tom seeks various forms of relief from the court: general and special damages amounting to no less than $150,000; punitive damages intended to punish Holt for her alleged misconduct; removal of child custody from Holt; attorney’s fees if applicable; declaratory relief confirming the falsity of the reports; and any other relief deemed just by the court.
Representing himself as a pro se plaintiff without formal legal counsel listed in this document is David Tom himself. The case is presided over by unnamed judges under Case ID 25CVORaI5ED.
Source: 25CV023562_David_Tom_v_Elizabeth_Holt_Complaint_County_of_Sacramento_California.pdf
