kiki the parrot
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LawGirl41 posted this in the Ronald thread, but I thought I'd bring the transcript of the 2005 custodial hearing into this thread as well: http://www.fox30online.com/media/news/e/4/2/e42078af-0580-47ab-8b13-b60c9d0f9ac3/cummings1.pdf
My impressions from this transcript and other things we've been able to read/see:
*Crystal S. did want custody of her children and did attempt to seek it/retain it several times.
*Crystal S. was not equipped to represent herself in the legal system and as a result, she wasn't able to get custody--
* I do not think custody was granted because of a well-measured contemplation of the best interests of the children-- it was about $ and who knew best how to navigate the court system.
* Ronald C. was able to represent himself and maneuver effectively within the legal system. IMO he's a bully and he used the system to bully Crystal.
* Crystal S. seems intimidated by Ronald C. She didn't even obtain a drivers license until after she had separated from/moved away from Ronald C.
-- Basically, I think the entire custodial situation reads like a classic domestic violence-meets- the legal system situation.
I don't think Ronald or Crystal are directly responsible for Haleigh's disappearance, but I REALLY don't think Crystal resonates as vengeful or as if she didn't want to be with her children.
Yes, sadly a very common outcome--whenever there is an imbalance of power, disparities in income, and when children become to one parent simply pawns. JMO2!