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“Survivor” Father Charged with Murder Loses Parental Rights

On Behalf of | Nov 24, 2010 | Child Custody

The previous post outlined the basic custody agreements regarding the children of the father involved in a Mexican homicide case. Earlier this month, the family agreed that the paternal grandparents would be the two kids’ guardians, and the aunts would get to visit with the kids under third-party supervision.

That agreement, however, was not made without at least one hiccup.

The judge, who said, “I want what’s best for the kids you all care so much about,” also signed off on one more important detail. Upon the aunts’ requests, the father cannot try to regain his parental rights over the children until a year has passed since the time of signing the custody agreement; he cannot challenge the grandparents’ guardianship appointment until after a year’s time.

The father was not quick to accept those terms, but he ultimately gave in to the request. He insists that he is not guilty of or involved with what happened to his wife while vacationing in Mexico, and he doesn’t think the homicide case should affect family law decisions.

But the aunts are afraid and want to take no chances with their niece’s and nephew’s lives. Plus, they worry that if the father were to have custody of the kids that he would prohibit the aunts’ access to the children. Also, the father is a homicide suspect and wanted in Mexico. If Mexican authorities were to get their way, he would be on the next plane back to their country where his wife’s body was found.

(According to a Reuters report, the father was arrested last week and will be held in jail pending extradition to Mexico.)

At least for now, it looks like the family situation is somewhat settled in this case. Most importantly, it is evident that the children have plenty of loving family around to support them during this difficult time in their lives. They lost their mother and could lose their father too if he is found guilty of the murder. Even if he is not guilty, the legal process ahead of him will likely keep him away from his family. That’s a lot for any child to handle.

Source

myfoxla.com: “Settlement Reached In Beresford-Redman Custody Dispute,” 10 Nov. 2010

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