Judge Says No

The parents accused of locking their kids in cages in southern Ohio have had their motion for the return of their children denied.

NORWALK (AP) — A judge on Tuesday blocked the immediate return of 11
children to their adoptive parents, who have been accused of placing some of the
children in enclosures that authorities say resemble cages.
Michael and Sharen Gravelle filed a motion Nov. 4 with Judge
Timothy Cardwell in the juvenile division of Huron County Common Pleas Court to
get the children back. They say the handmade enclosures were for the children’s
own safety. The children were removed from their custody in September and are in
foster care. The motion included a sworn statement from an
independent social worker who had worked with the Gravelles over the last five
years. She said she knew about what she understood to be enclosures and approved
of them. The judge also denied the couple’s request for
expanded visitation rights with the children. A custody
hearing is set for Dec. 6 on whether the children were abused or neglected. If
the allegations are not proven, the couple could regain custody.
Authorities have said the Gravelles apparently placed some
children in cages at night and as punishment during the day.
The Gravelles, who have not been charged, have said they
adopted children with health and behavioral problems who potentially could harm
themselves and that the enclosures were more like clubhouses.
“We’re disappointed that he didn’t allow the kids to come home
right away and that he didn’t grant more visitation,” said Ken Myers, the
Gravelles’ attorney. He said he told the Gravelles before the hearing not to get
their hopes up. “It would be unusual during a pending abuse
and neglect case for the children to go back home. They would like to see their
children more and have them come home if only for short periods of time, but
they understand the judge’s ruling,” he said.

Categories: abuse