GUILTY MI - Charlie Bothuell, 12, Detroit, 16 June 2014

[BetteDavisEyes]

Dad, Stepmom of Boy Found in Basement Pursue Parental Rights

The dad and stepmother of the 12-year-old boy found last month in his Detroit basement after 11 days asked for a jury trial Thursday to keep their parental rights. In addition to 12-year-old Charlie Bothuell V, Monique Dillard-Bothuell and Charlie Bothuell IV have a 4-year-old and an 11-month-old, and Thursday's court appearance was a continuation of a July 10 hearing to terminate their parental rights for all three children. A pretrial hearing was set for July 28...

http://www.nbcnews.com/news/crime-c...found-basement-pursue-parental-rights-n158361

 

[BetteDavisEyes]

It's alarming that the case with child services stemming from this incident went from a missing child to child abuse to severance of parental rights in such short order. Especially disturbing is that they also want to do this with his children from his second wife.

We sleuthers are used to knocking the various child welfare agencies for letting so many children fall through the cracks.

I can only wonder what the State of Michigan has discovered about Charlie IV and his wife.

There was a brief report on WDIV following the hearing this morning during which Ms. Dillard-Bothuell's attorney suggested that various government agencies are "stonewalling" his requests for forensic reports related to the child abuse accusations. I still anticipate that charges will be filed and the dad and stepmom will be arrested before the July 28 pre-trial hearing. Discovery should be forthcoming by then, and I suspect that we've probably only seen the tip of the iceberg. There was a reason that young Charlie ran away from his father's home previously. :moo:

 

[BetteDavisEyes]

Jury Trial Will Determine If Dad, Stepmom Of Boy Found In Basement Will Lose Parental Rights

July 17, 2014 5:58 PM

DETROIT (WWJ) – A referee has ordered that a jury trial be held to determine whether the father and stepmother of a 12-year-old Detroit boy found barricaded in a basement should lose their parental rights.

No criminal charges have been brought against Charlie Bothuell IV or Monique Dillard-Bothuell, whose son, Charlie Botthuel V, was missing for 11 days — with national coverage of his “disappearance” — when he was found hidden the bowels of his father’s condo.

At the courthouse Thursday, defense attorney Mark Magidson, who represents Dillard-Bothuell, was asked whether young Charlie was being truthful when he told police he was in the basement the entire time — even after at least five thorough searches of the home...

http://detroit.cbslocal.com/2014/07...-found-in-basement-will-lose-parental-rights/

 

[sophiebelle]

I think it would be very hard for a jury to figure out what happened, if MI can't. If he abused the child and so many agencies have been in on it, why can't they decide? Do they not believe some of what this child said? Because if they did, they would have been charged.

I do think national attention via Nancy Grace and others put the spotlight on this state, and they have to do it right. (whatever that may be)

 

[BetteDavisEyes]

I think it would be very hard for a jury to figure out what happened, if MI can't. If he abused the child and so many agencies have been in on it, why can't they decide? Do they not believe some of what this child said? Because if they did, they would have been charged.

I do think national attention via Nancy Grace and others put the spotlight on this state, and they have to do it right. (whatever that may be)

As a local (metro-Detroit), I would like to point out that Wayne County Prosecutor, Kym Worthy, is known for her success rate in prosecuting high-profile cases. She's diligent, meticulous, and takes her time before arrests are made and charges filed in a wide variety of cases. While it sounds trite, Worthy wants her is dotted and ts crossed before she proceeds to trial. I firmly believe that charges in this case will be forthcoming, but it might take some time because so many agencies were involved in locating young Charlie Bothuell. I hope and pray that justice will be done for this young man who seems to have endured far more mental and physical abuse than most of us want to imagine. :moo:

 

[sophiebelle]

As a local (metro-Detroit), I would like to point out that Wayne County Prosecutor, Kym Worthy, is known for her success rate in prosecuting high-profile cases. She's diligent, meticulous, and takes her time before arrests are made and charges filed in a wide variety of cases. While it sounds trite, Worthy wants her is dotted and ts crossed before she proceeds to trial. I firmly believe that charges in this case will be forthcoming, but it might take some time because so many agencies were involved in locating young Charlie Bothuell. I hope and pray that justice will be done for this young man who seems to have endured far more mental and physical abuse than most of us want to imagine. :moo:

I hope so for the safety and well being of little Charlie.

 

[CarolinaMoon]

Another facet has yet to be mentioned. It was said that Charlie was home-schooled under rather loose MI rules. Was he really being educated in that house? Are there work-books, internet activity with a home-school program?

I would hope CPS would have him tested with the same test he last took in school to see how much progress he made in the past year or so.

 

[BetteDavisEyes]

Another facet has yet to be mentioned. It was said that Charlie was home-schooled under rather loose MI rules. Was he really being educated in that house? Are there work-books, internet activity with a home-school program?

I would hope CPS would have him tested with the same test he last took in school to see how much progress he made in the past year or so.

Charlie's mother mentions that the boy's grades had been slipping and that this was among the reasons that he went to live with his dad. The bio-mom mentions that Mr. Bothuell had a rigorous education plan for his son. I'm not a proponent of home-schooling because children need social contact with other children, and it's obvious that Charlie was isolated. Whether or not Charlie made academic progress during the two years of confinement in his father's house will likely come out in future court documents. :moo:

...He was home-schooled and his dad apparently kept incredibly strict education regimes...

...Since the story broke many people have asked why Charlie was living with his father and not his biological mother. Alicia explained: ‘He has always been a good boy, but his grades were declining and his mother wanted to nip it in the bud and get him back on the right track.

‘She felt maybe spending more quality time with his dad might help him out. It was a decision they made together. Her only aim was to help Charlie.’ ...

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...ials-strip-parents-custody.html#ixzz37vA58xzk

 

[mrsobrien]

Respectfully, this is a horrible example of homeschooling. Typical homeschooling parents know that socialization is important and intentionally make it a priority. I know I did. Charlie's dad is obviously one of the HS'ing parents that makes the rest look bad. :-(

Charlie's mother mentions that the boy's grades had been slipping and that this was among the reasons that he went to live with his dad. The bio-mom mentions that Mr. Bothuell had a rigorous education plan for his son. I'm not a proponent of home-schooling because children need social contact with other children, and it's obvious that Charlie was isolated. Whether or not Charlie made academic progress during the two years of confinement in his father's house will likely come out in future court documents. :moo:

...He was home-schooled and his dad apparently kept incredibly strict education regimes...

...Since the story broke many people have asked why Charlie was living with his father and not his biological mother. Alicia explained: ‘He has always been a good boy, but his grades were declining and his mother wanted to nip it in the bud and get him back on the right track.

‘She felt maybe spending more quality time with his dad might help him out. It was a decision they made together. Her only aim was to help Charlie.’ ...

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...ials-strip-parents-custody.html#ixzz37vA58xzk

 

[CarolinaMoon]

I only taught high-schoolers, but, I can't imagine how Charlie had the energy during the day to concentrate on book-learning as it seems to have been sandwiched in-between overly-vigorous physical "training" that dad put on him. If Charlie is to be believed, his schooling would have been so difficult if there were days when he were hurting all-over from beatings.

I suppose dad's favorite subject was PE. As for Charlie, I can imagine that he'd started hanging out with the wrong crowd. Slipping grades are a good sign of that.

There is so much we don't know yet and I'm eager learn more about life in dad's house.

 

[BetteDavisEyes]

There has never been mention of Charlie's "friends" or hanging out, shooting hoops, etc. with other youngsters in the neighborhood. Between the grueling physical workouts and whatever academic education he was receiving, it's obvious that Charlie was isolated and didn't have much fun.

 

[BetteDavisEyes]

Home Schooling in Michigan:

http://www.michigan.gov/documents/home_schools_122555_7.pdf

 

[BetteDavisEyes]

Charlie Bothuell’s father and stepmother due in court Monday

State trying to terminate their parental rights

Author: Mia Balbin-Cuesta, Local 4, ClickOnDetroit.com writer, [email protected]

Published On: Jul 28 2014 04:14:48 AM EDT

DETROIT -

On Monday, Charlie Bothuell IV and Monique Dillard-Bothuell will be in court for a pre-trial hearing. They are 12-year-old Charlie Bothuell V’s father and stepmother, respectively. The state is trying to terminate their parental rights...

http://www.clickondetroit.com/news/...r-and-stepmother-due-in-court-monday/27175986


July 28, 2014 at 6:58 am

Father, stepmother of found Detroit boy due in court

Associated Press

Detroit — The father and stepmother of a 12-year-old Detroit boy who was found in his basement after an 11-day disappearance are due back in court.

A pretrial hearing is scheduled Monday morning in Wayne County juvenile court for Charlie Bothuell IV and Monique Dillard-Bothuell...

From The Detroit News: http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20140728/METRO01/307280048#ixzz38lDBMtk9

 

[nells]

From WXYZ.com: Charlie (the young boy) may testify at trial:

http://www.wxyz.com/news/mom-of-mis...-found-in-dads-basement-says-he-is-doing-well

Also: "For the first time at court, 7 Action News spoke to Charlie's mother, Africa Shippings, who has had custody of her son since he was found. Shippings said her son is doing well, and was shocked by the allegations against her ex-husband and his wife because there was no history of abuse."

 

[sophiebelle]

From WXYZ.com: Charlie (the young boy) may testify at trial:

http://www.wxyz.com/news/mom-of-mis...-found-in-dads-basement-says-he-is-doing-well

Also: "For the first time at court, 7 Action News spoke to Charlie's mother, Africa Shippings, who has had custody of her son since he was found. Shippings said her son is doing well, and was shocked by the allegations against her ex-husband and his wife because there was no history of abuse."

I'm wondering what Charlie told mom, and if she testified. Is she saying that to make it clear that she would not have sent Charlie there if she thought there was abuse?

 

[BetteDavisEyes]

Timeline of the Charlie Bothuell disappearance

Author: Jeff Wattrick, Managing Editor, [email protected]

Published On: Jun 25 2014 06:09:28 PM EDT Updated On: Jul 28 2014 07:45:03 PM EDT

Charlie Bothuell, 12, was found in his father's basement alive and well Wednesday afternoon. The child had been missing for more than a week. This is how the saga has unfolded.

June 16, 2014: Father says this was the last time he saw Charlie Bothuell.

June 17, 2014: Police ask public for help with their search for Bothuell.

June 21, 2014: Bothuell's father, Charles Bothuell IV, says he took a polygraph at police request. Results were inconclusive.

June 24, 2014: Police use dogs to again search the townhouse. The elder Bothuell appears on cable news asking for help to find his son...

Continued at link: http://www.clickondetroit.com/news/timeline-of-the-charlie-bothuell-disappearance/26663732

 

[katydid23]

From WXYZ.com: Charlie (the young boy) may testify at trial:

http://www.wxyz.com/news/mom-of-mis...-found-in-dads-basement-says-he-is-doing-well

Also: "For the first time at court, 7 Action News spoke to Charlie's mother, Africa Shippings, who has had custody of her son since he was found. Shippings said her son is doing well, and was shocked by the allegations against her ex-husband and his wife because there was no history of abuse."

Was she not told about the abuse by Charlie since he returned to her home? I am confused.

 

[BetteDavisEyes]

July 28, 2014 at 2:18 pm

Trial date set in custody case for father, stepmother of found Detroit boy

Tony Briscoe/The Detroit News

Detroit — The father and stepmother of a boy who had been missing for 11 days last month before being found barricaded in his own basement were granted a jury trial in the custody case of all their children.

During Monday’s pretrial hearing in Wayne County juvenile court for Charlie Bothuell IV and Monique Dillard-Bothuell, Third Circuit Judge Karen Baxter scheduled the case to go to what is expected to be a "very lengthy" trial in the permanent custody battle for 12-year-old Charlie Bothuell V beginning Sept. 8.

The Attorney General’s Office along defense attorneys Stephanie Carson, representing Bothuell IV, and lawyer Mark Magidson, representing Dillard-Bothuell, have until Aug. 4 to file motions. They were also given a Aug. 24 deadline to submit a list of witnesses and exhibits and jury instructions...

From The Detroit News: http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20140728/METRO01/307280048#ixzz38rKfkEdt

 

[BetteDavisEyes]

Was she not told about the abuse by Charlie since he returned to her home? I am confused.

...Despite apparently telling investigators that his stepmom ordered him to hide in the cramped basement beneath their condo, Charlie is yet to open up to his family about his ordeal.

Alicia, 38, explained: ‘I have spoken to him a lot, but he doesn’t speak of what happened to him. We are just surrounding him with his family and friends and trying to keep him laughing so he can gradually get back to normal.

‘When he feels comfortable and ready he will tell us what really happened. At the moment he is playing computer games… and he loves superhero films, so today we are going to watch Transformers and The Avengers and all that other good stuff, to give him a sense of normalcy...

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...ials-strip-parents-custody.html#ixzz38rMiLHRc

 

[Linda7NJ]

Update???