I know a child is as much one parent's as another, but as default, if the mother is missing, I really think her Mother (or mother's family), if able and close (relationship wise) should kind of get the child/ren on default if there is a history of abuse/scary stuff from the main suspect...I wonder if one can put that in a pre-nup or other legal document as a "just in case" clause before having children or after (meaning, if either spouse is suspected of foul play in the other's missing/murder case, they don't get custody of the kids until their innocence is proven, etc.). I'll have to think about that =)
This case is so very sad. Ganny, your post just really made me think about people putting implements in place in case anything happens to just ONE of them (usually it's when both parents are gone that there are advance directives).
Hmm. I'm very glad Shelley's mother is able to be with her granddaughter (at least part time...). I think that's exactly where she needs to be and I have no idea, but I'll gamble that's what Shelley would want.
