Jr's custody issue arising from Ron's arrest

[Crosby87]

Despite the fact that HaLeigh missed doctor's appointments and a fair amount of school, it seems Ron and Crystal were both diligent in picking up and dropping the children off for their scheduled visitations. I never heard Crystal complain about Ron being late or failing to show up with the children or vice versa.

 

[pittsburghgirl]

Ron received custody in early December by default. The next day when CS learned, she notified the court and a re-hearing was set for both of them in late December. The judge found cause for a re-hearing due to the address issue. The judge also did not change his original decision which was giving rc primary custody. In retrospect, a fatal decision.

She didn't show up for the hearing. Then she got a second chance and lost again. We know from her attorney that the address issue was bogus.

Ron Cummings is in jail now, and so custody in his case is moot. But we can't go back and sanitize Crystal's record of drug abuse and the problems that follow from it, like missing hearings, doctor appointments, etc. I realize that many of the people on this board are locals, and had taken "sides" long ago. Because I am not from the area, I have only what is in the media to go on. I held out some hope that Ron could shape up and be a good father. Well, if he is found guilty or pleads guilty, he won't have a chance to do that. He's thrown his life away and caused incalculable damage to his son. The drug dealing and drug use certainly put both kids at risk, with clearly tragic results for Haleigh. I still think it is possible that she was the victim of a pedophile, because I am not convinced the Misty didn't leave the kids alone and it is surely possible that people were doing drugs in the house and possibly more. Who was in that trailer, and for how long? It's not just that Misty or Ron could have been involved in Haleigh's death; it's that the drugs make people do things that normal people would never do, like leave kids alone.

All that said, let's not forget that Crystal has not been a model parent. She has a chance to do better by her son, but the only person who can kick the drugs and be present enough to raise her kids is Crystal. And, regardless of her age, the person who decided to get involved with Ron and start using drugs was Crystal. No one (including those of us who don't know her but wish her well, for her sake and the sake of her kids) does her any favor by blaming anyone else (her parents, Ron Cummings, her current husband) for her drug abuse. People who blame other people for addicts' problems are called enablers. People who want to help addicts hold them accountable for their own choices.

 

[Whisperer]

[/QUOTE]=pittsburghgirl;4727725]She didn't show up for the hearing. Then she got a second chance and lost again. We know from her attorney that the address issue was bogus.

Ron Cummings is in jail now, and so custody in his case is moot. But we can't go back and sanitize Crystal's record of drug abuse and the problems that follow from it, like missing hearings, doctor appointments, etc. I realize that many of the people on this board are locals, and had taken "sides" long ago. Because I am not from the area, I have only what is in the media to go on. I held out some hope that Ron could shape up and be a good father. Well, if he is found guilty or pleads guilty, he won't have a chance to do that. He's thrown his life away and caused incalculable damage to his son. The drug dealing and drug use certainly put both kids at risk, with clearly tragic results for Haleigh. I still think it is possible that she was the victim of a pedophile, because I am not convinced the Misty didn't leave the kids alone and it is surely possible that people were doing drugs in the house and possibly more. Who was in that trailer, and for how long? It's not just that Misty or Ron could have been involved in Haleigh's death; it's that the drugs make people do things that normal people would never do, like leave kids alone.

All that said, let's not forget that Crystal has not been a model parent. She has a chance to do better by her son, but the only person who can kick the drugs and be present enough to raise her kids is Crystal. And, regardless of her age, the person who decided to get involved with Ron and start using drugs was Crystal. No one (including those of us who don't know her but wish her well, for her sake and the sake of her kids) does her any favor by blaming anyone else (her parents, Ron Cummings, her current husband) for her drug abuse. People who blame other people for addicts' problems are called enablers. People who want to help addicts hold them accountable for their own choices.[/QUOTE]

We do not know from her attorney that it was true. I looked at the dockets and it said Jacksonville for the mailing. The judge also found cause for a re-hearing due to the address. Crystal was on this the next day. I don't know why you would think she didn't want to be there. She fought for those kids. It went on till she couldn't pay any more money.

KP filed a rebuttal. Her license was at stake. Doesn't mean she was accurate. If she told the complete truth, there are many things in there about RC that have never been discussed.

As far as the appts go...Crystal was truthful...to a fault. Can't say that about rc.
Why didn't rc take the children to the appts? She didn't drive, IIRC. Maybe he could have pitched in. Maybe she had Post Natal Blues (and not drug addiction as the reason she was in bed), maybe she was depressed, she had just given birth. Isn't anyone going to explore the possibilities of what could have been the reason.

I am so sick of this and sick of this being discussed with no regard for her possible feelings and what she may have been going through. She was fourteen years old when She and rc got involved....good grief!

 

[Whisperer]

Just one more point...

....How did you determine that Crystal was not a model parent?
....Was it because of missed Dr. Appts?

If you ever read her writings or observed her, she exhibits lots of love. Her writings are heart wrenching. Her hugs are real.

 

[pittsburghgirl]

She is a drug addict. Drug addicts, alcoholics and other people with addiction issues are never "model parents." With addicts, what comes first is the drug of choice. That doesn't mean an addict doesn't love his or her children or want to have custody or try to care for them. It means that their priorities are focused on their addiction.

The judge did the right thing ti grant Crystal a rehearing. If there was any chance that she missed the hearing because of a paperwork problem of some sort, she deserved a shot at getting her kids back. The attorney, of course, was filing a document that served her own needs. But she is an officer of the court and is obliged to tell the truth in such a sworn statement. If she says Crystal is an addict and Crystal's father says she's an addict, that is convincing to me.

I still don't see the point of minimizing Crystal's problems. I don't know her personally, so I of course have to go by what is in the media. By all accounts, she has a drug problem. Many parents do have problems with drugs and alcohol and their children suffer accordingly. It doesn't help Crystal to minimize or deny that her addiction impacts her ability to care for her kids. Addiction also doesn't mean, necessarily, that a parent should lose custody. Many addicts get help and get clean. But if kids are at risk in a house with a father and stepmother involved with selling and taking drugs, they are at risk when their mother does drugs too--because she has to "deal" with dealers to get them. Again, my hope is that she, unlike Ron, will get help, get clean, and make a good home for her children.

 

[pittsburghgirl]

Crystal was on this the next day. I don't know why you would think she didn't want to be there. She fought for those kids. It went on till she couldn't pay any more money.!

What is your source for this information?

I certainly don't assume that she didn't want to be at the hearing or that she didn't want her kids. I make no assumptions. She didn't show up. She also missed a number of doctor appointments. That doesn't surprise me, given her addiction issues. I've worked with a number of addicts. They often miss appointments and deadlines. I believe her attorney's account of the matter, as stated in her response to the bar complaint.

 

[Patty G]

I would love to see the documentation that Crystal is a drug addict. Is everyone basing this on what was said in the court documents back in 2005 or is there an updated document indicating that Crystal is a drug addict. Please post the link to Crystal being a drug addict.

I did read and listen to all of KP's response and everyone involved in that fiasco and I wouldn't believe a word KP stated "if her tongue came notarized."

When Crystal missed doctor's appointments, she was pregnant with Ron Jr., and she just didn't want to go. I don't recall if Crystal said she was 8 months pregnant at that time or not.

Crystal also did not drive and she had no choice but to rely on Ron's grandmother to take her places, of which, Crystal told the Judge she didn't like riding in the vehicle with Ron's grandmother.

I missed doctor appointments for my son also when he was young, and also canceled them if I didn't have a car, or didn't have money to take a taxi, or just canceled because I just had to go to work.

At some point we need to get out of 2005 and come to the current time-frame of 2010.

 

[News Junkie]

Crystal was about 14 years old when she got pregnant; think about that…She needed help from the adults around her. She didn’t have money, a car or even a driver’s license, and yes at that point I guess she did get involved with drugs. Whose roof was she under when this happened? If I recall, it was GGS. She seemed very timid when this story first broke; she appeared scared to death that her daughter was gone.

Let’s give these young women a chance. Crystal is Butterbean’s best bet at this point. I plan to keep her in my prayers. IMO Haleigh and Crystal are the victims in this story.

 

[Indiana at Heart]

Am Happy to Hear that Crystal took a drug test and passed before the hearing last week! Now people can lay off that she is into drugs!

 

[Indiana at Heart]

Crystal was about 14 years old when she got pregnant; think about that…She needed help from the adults around her. She didn’t have money, a car or even a driver’s license, and yes at that point I guess she did get involved with drugs. Whose roof was she under when this happened? If I recall, it was GGS. She seemed very timid when this story first broke; she appeared scared to death that her daughter was gone.

Let’s give these young women a chance. Crystal is Butterbean’s best bet at this point. I plan to keep her in my prayers. IMO Haleigh and Crystal are the victims in this story.

She is 24/25 years old now and HaLeigh is 6 so she wasn't 14.

 

[Patty G]

Am Happy to Hear that Crystal took a drug test and passed before the hearing last week! Now people can lay off that she is into drugs!

Do you have a link regarding the test before the hearing? I must of missed that article and would love to read it. Thanks.

 

[Indiana at Heart]

Do you have a link regarding the test before the hearing? I must of missed that article and would love to read it. Thanks.

http://www.websleuths.com/forums/showthread.php?t=94416&page=2

Levi show last night AH said it


http://www.blogtalkradio.com/levipage/2010/01/25/haleigh-cummings-investigation


Listen about 21 minutes in

 

[Patty G]

http://www.websleuths.com/forums/showthread.php?t=94416&page=2

Levi show last night AH said it


http://www.blogtalkradio.com/levipage/2010/01/25/haleigh-cummings-investigation


Listen about 21 minutes in

Thanks. I always like to see AH's comments back up by an article by the news media.

 

[Gotarugrat]

Has CS or family released any statements regarding the arrests of RC and MC and her custody of Jr?

Anyone know where I can find a link to a transcript of the Levi show?

 

[Patty G]

I wonder why AH hasn't written an article about Crystal's emergency hearing and getting custody of Jr, or about the drug test etc., etc.... as this would be "Breaking News" for sure!

 

[Indiana at Heart]

Thanks. I always like to see AH's comments back up by an article by the news media.

Sorry I don't have that. Art did say he would have an article up on his site. I will keep an eye out for one by the news media!

 

[LFlorida]

Thanks. I always like to see AH's comments back up by an article by the news media.

You are so diplomatic, Patty. I need to emulate you. [serious, not sarcastic]

 

[LFlorida]

Despite the fact that HaLeigh missed doctor's appointments and a fair amount of school, it seems Ron and Crystal were both diligent in picking up and dropping the children off for their scheduled visitations. I never heard Crystal complain about Ron being late or failing to show up with the children or vice versa.

Check Putnam County Clerk of Court dockets. Ron was picked up for this very thing in June.

http://www.putnam-fl.com/clk_apps/crim_dkts/view_doc.php?instr=542009CF001105XXAXMX

 

[Lexington]

I would love it if Crystal would send a newly taken photo of herself and Jr. to NG to post on her "Family Photos" segment as kind of a FY without saying it.

 

[Kimster]

I'm with PattyG, I like to see some back up to Art as well. I would think that the media could get docs for that hearing as they are public, aren't they?