After more than a year and a half, custody of four children has been returned to their mother.
The children range in age from 10 to 15 and they were initially removed from their home in September 2014. A complaint filed at that time with the Highland County Juvenile Court alleges drug use by the mother as what prompted the involvement of Children Services and the court.
Since that time, and as is typical with the removal of children from a home, the mother was set up on a case plan through Children Services and has been working that since the inception of the case.
In some cases when custody of a child or children is revested with a parent, the court orders protective supervision of the situation for a period of time. But in this case, custody of the children was returned to the mother of the children with no further supervision ordered by the court.
In another case, a 14-year-old in detention since earlier in May has been released back to his parents after admitting to an assault charge.
The male was previously ordered to remain in detention until further order from the court after he was arrested and later charged with assault and domestic violence. The latter charge was dismissed this week.
While judge Kevin Greer released the teenager from detention this week and allowed him to return home, the 14-year-old has a suspended commitment to out-of-home placement, is to be assessed at FRS, and is to complete an anger management course. The teenager will also be on community control for an indefinite period of time.
In another hearing, temporary custody of four children ranging in age from 7 to 2 has gone to their respective fathers under court-ordered protective supervision.
The case was initiated last fall due to the alleged drug use of the mother. The children at that time were removed from the home and placed with a relative. A review hearing is set for December.
In a delinquent child hearing this week, a 13-year-old male admitted to disorderly conduct and was ordered to perform 16 hours of community service.
Reach Angela Shepherd at 937-393-3456, ext. 1681, or on Twitter @wordyshepherd.
