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Local News

Sunday, March 23, 2008

Hancock County judge to hear testimony in unusual child custody case

Millstream
By J. STEVEN DILLON

STAFF WRITER

A judge will begin hearing testimony on Friday in a child custody case involving a mother whose four children were taken away last fall after she was accused of subjecting one of the children to unnecessary medical treatment.

Hancock County Juvenile Court Judge Allan Davis will ultimately decide, after a “disposition hearing,” what is in the “best interests of the children” and decide if and when they will be returned to their parents, Angie and Chris Cox of Findlay.

The children, ages 2, 8, 11 and 13, are currently in temporary custody with a foster family.

They were removed from the Cox home Oct. 23 after Judge Davis found probable cause to support a complaint filed by Hancock County Children's Protective Services Unit.

The court allowed a fifth child, now 18, to remain with his parents.

The complaint alleged the four younger children were abused, neglected and dependent under law because Angie Cox suffers from Munchausen's Syndrome by Proxy.

Munchausen's is a rare disorder that causes parents, usually the mother, to fabricate symptoms in their children, subjecting the child to unnecessary medical tests and/or surgical procedures.

The abuse allegations in the complaint were dismissed in January. As part of a settlement agreement, the Coxes entered no contest pleas to amended charges of neglect and dependency.

It's not clear if Children's Protective Services will proceed with the Munchausen's claim at the disposition hearing, or if the agency will raise other mental health claims against one or both of the parents.

Judge Davis will have various options after considering the testimony, much of which will come from doctors, psychiatrists and psychologists who have treated or examined the Coxes and their children.

Children's Services caseworkers are also expected to take the witness stand.

Depending on his interpretation of the evidence and the applicable law regarding neglect and dependency, Judge Davis could order that the children continue in foster care, be placed in a relative's care, or be returned to their parents with or without restrictions.

For example, he could return the children to their parents with medical or protective supervision.

One of those who will testify is Ramalinga Reddy, a physician who has been treating the 13-year-old child since before he was removed from the Cox home.

Children's Services brought the court action against the Coxes, in large part, due to the wide range of medical problems of the teenager, whose ailments include asthma, epilepsy, a seizure disorder, and NCS (neurocardiogenic syncope).

At the time of his removal from the Cox home, he was on 15 different prescriptions and his medical file was nearly seven inches thick.

Angie and Chris Cox have said that their son has been to numerous doctors and specialists, who each had their own ideas on how to treat him.

There are several motions pending before the court in the case.

A motion filed by Angie Cox's attorney, Lisa Miller, seeks to disqualify Kristen Johnson, an assistant county prosecutor who is representing Children's Services.

Miller asked for a special prosecutor to be named last month, claiming certain events in the case have created a “clear appearance of impropriety” on the part of Johnson.

In the motion, Miller said it appears Children's Services has lost its “objectivity and focus in the case.”

Johnson, in a response filed earlier this month, called Miller's motion “baseless, unfounded and spurious.”

She said it is Miller and the Coxes, not her, who have lost objectivity. She said they are obsessed with the media attention that the case has attracted, instead of the welfare of the children.

“It's an intoxicant to them,” Johnson wrote. “Unfortunately, the media has chosen to perpetuate the delusions of two people with mental health diagnoses and may very well affect their willingness to work a case plan here.”

Johnson said it was not Children's Services request to have media in the courtroom.

“Despite their presence and the circus-like atmosphere created by the Coxes and Ms. Miller, Ms. Johnson and CPSU will continue to do their jobs in a professional and forthright manner,” Johnson wrote.

The Courier has been covering the case after requesting, and receiving permission, to attend the hearings from Judge Davis. The newspaper petitioned the court for access due to the unusual nature of the Munchausen's claim.

Abuse, neglect and dependent proceedings are normally closed to the public, unless the parties don't object and the court grants access.

Neither Children's Services nor the Coxes opposed the newspaper's request to cover the hearings.

Judge Davis said he would likely rule on the disqualification motion, and other pending motions, on Friday.

Contact staff writer J. Steven Dillon at: 419-427-8423 Send an e-mail to Steve Dillon

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1 Comment

Lesle Shurbun wrote:
Muchausen's/Cox Case
“ Could you please tell me if an expert witness in Munchausen's was used during the trial? If there was may I have the name. ”
Saturday, June 28, 2008 1:17:15 AM
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Kyle wrote in article "Officials say stuck cars may be towed":
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“ It's a very good possibility that a plow with it's blade up was not a City of Findlay plow. Many people have their own plows and... ” Read More...
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SNOW REMOVAL
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rob wrote in article "Officials say stuck cars may be towed":
pile of snow
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2/9/2010 11:38:49 AM
tim wrote in article "Officials say stuck cars may be towed":
put the blades down this time
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2/9/2010 10:39:25 AM
Jimbo wrote in article "Sheriff reminds motorists of road level advisories":
To Debbie..
“ I want to express that I understand where you are going with your post, but be practical. If a level 3 is called, that means no... ” Read More...
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Steve wrote in article "Blowing snow stalls traffic":
unknown
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A trip to Washington, D.C. that Findlay and Ottawa officials were planning to make this week has been postponed because of the inclement weather.

Findlay Mayor Pete Sehnert said officials have rescheduled the trip for Feb. 23 to meet with a lobbying group and congressional representatives regarding federal spending on flood control projects.

Fostoria requires clearing sidewalks
FOSTORIA -- Fostoria residents are responsible for removing snow and ice from sidewalks within 12 hours of a storm, according to police Capt. Patrick Brooks.

The city code covers residential owners or tenants, and business owners of properties which abut a sidewalk.

An offense is a minor misdemeanor, with a fine of up to $100. Each day constitutes a separate offense.

Library in Forest reschedules event
FOREST -- Because of the expected inclement weather, the Forest-Jackson Public Library has rescheduled its Valentine luncheon planned for Thursday to 11:30 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 18.

Reservations are required. Anyone with questions can call the library at 419-273-2400.

Disc golf tourney set for Saturday
The Ray Heverling Charity Ice Bowl Tournament has been rescheduled for 1 p.m. Saturday at Riverbend Recreation Area, off Ohio 568 east of Findlay.

Registration begins at noon.

The tournament was canceled last Saturday because of a snowstorm.

The Disc Golf Community Association, in cooperation with the Hancock Park District, sponsors the event. Proceeds go to the Family Center of Findlay-Hancock County.

For more information contact Nathan Buck at p_nate@thecatalystcc.com or 419-306-7405. Entry fee is $20. Additional donations are accepted.

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Crime Of The Week
Findlay/Hancock County Crime Stoppers is looking for information about a break-in at the Arlington Pharmacy, 200 Main St., at 12:51 a.m. Dec. 28.

A glass pane in the front door of the business was shattered, and entry was made. Once inside, the perpetrators took prescription medications and fled on foot.

Two white males were seen running from the business. The males were possibly in their late teens to early 20s, and possibly entered a vehicle.

People with information about this or any other crime that would lead to an arrest or indictment will be eligible for a cash reward of up to $1,000.

Crime Stoppers can be called weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 419-425-TIPS or 419-425-8477. Callers can remain anonymous.

The Web site is www.hancockcrimestoppers.org.