Terri Horman is finally divorced. Rather than mediate an agreement with her ex-husband, Kaine Horman, for shared custody or visitation of their five year old daughter, she avoided court as much as possible over the past three and a half years during which they have been separated, and refused to testify or explain her failed polygraphs in the ongoing missing persons case of her former stepson, Kyron Horman. Kyron disappeared from his school in Portland, Oregon, in 2010, when he was seven, and Terri is the last person reported to have seen him. Rather than assist in the effort to find Kyron, Terri and her parents, Carol and Larry Moulton, who live in Roseburg, Oregon, have opted to stay as far away from any helpful actions as possible.
Now that the divorce is finally final....sort of......custody and visitation still need to be worked out, there is one completely unusual feature in all of this: in addition to never actively seeking out the company of most other people, Terri Horman has never actively sought out the company of her daughter since she and Kaine split. While she failed two polygraphs and her versions (note the plural) of events changed at least half a dozen times concerning the day Kyron disappeared, she has not been charged with any crime; therefore, the restraining order Kaine took out against her should have simply expired, and not been renewed. In almost every domestic violence case involving a restraining or a protective order, (95% of domestic violence victims are women) the victim will be required to fight vigorously for the order, which, if granted, will last for a month or so, during which she will be required to exchange custody of her children with the respondent despite the order. After that, the order will finally expire, if the respondent does not re-offend. Why didn't matters proceed this way in the Horman case? Terri certainly has had the right, from the beginning, to fight the restrictions on seeing her daughter, even if Kaine did not want to see Terri. In a worst case scenario, a court appointed neutral party could have been appointed to assist in the custody exchanges or visitations. Most attorneys recommend this to respondents in Terri Horman's position; why didn't Terri's attorney insist upon it? What could be so terribly all-encompassing to Terri that she would forgo contact with her own daughter? And why would Terri decline any custodial time with her daughter during the child's formative years? Is her daughter no longer welcome in her life?
Speaking of "welcome", Terri Horman and her parents have erected a new sign at their home. During the month of November, Kyron's mother held a vigil in Roseburg, only to find that Terri's mother called the police, because she did not want anyone gathering near or in front of her home carrying signs bearing Kyron's picture. There was no wrongdoing in being close to the Moultons' home, and no one was sanctioned, but there is now a "No Trespassing" sign in front of the house. How incredibly welcoming. It is obviously directed to anyone involved in Kyron's missing persons case; one of his natural parents was the target. But to whom else is it directed? Anyone involved in the effort to find Kyron? Kyron's other parent? If so, how could visitation possibly take place? Extended visits, should Terri ever fight for them and get them, generally take place at the noncustodial parent's residence. Can Kaine even take her there without being accused of trespassing? As Kyron's father, the words, "Terri, where's Kyron?" are more than likely to leave his lips every time he sees her, until she clears up those failed polygraphs and multiple conflicting stories.
Suppose Terri's daughter, herself, wants to know what happened to Kyron? She is, after all, Kyron's sister. The Moultons seem to think that she will never wonder about Kyron. As an only child, Terri apparently doesn't understand the love siblings have for one another. It only makes sense that Kyron's sister will ask about him, one day; and try to find him. Does the "No Trespassing" sign apply to her presence, as well?
Now that the divorce is finally final....sort of......custody and visitation still need to be worked out, there is one completely unusual feature in all of this: in addition to never actively seeking out the company of most other people, Terri Horman has never actively sought out the company of her daughter since she and Kaine split. While she failed two polygraphs and her versions (note the plural) of events changed at least half a dozen times concerning the day Kyron disappeared, she has not been charged with any crime; therefore, the restraining order Kaine took out against her should have simply expired, and not been renewed. In almost every domestic violence case involving a restraining or a protective order, (95% of domestic violence victims are women) the victim will be required to fight vigorously for the order, which, if granted, will last for a month or so, during which she will be required to exchange custody of her children with the respondent despite the order. After that, the order will finally expire, if the respondent does not re-offend. Why didn't matters proceed this way in the Horman case? Terri certainly has had the right, from the beginning, to fight the restrictions on seeing her daughter, even if Kaine did not want to see Terri. In a worst case scenario, a court appointed neutral party could have been appointed to assist in the custody exchanges or visitations. Most attorneys recommend this to respondents in Terri Horman's position; why didn't Terri's attorney insist upon it? What could be so terribly all-encompassing to Terri that she would forgo contact with her own daughter? And why would Terri decline any custodial time with her daughter during the child's formative years? Is her daughter no longer welcome in her life?
Speaking of "welcome", Terri Horman and her parents have erected a new sign at their home. During the month of November, Kyron's mother held a vigil in Roseburg, only to find that Terri's mother called the police, because she did not want anyone gathering near or in front of her home carrying signs bearing Kyron's picture. There was no wrongdoing in being close to the Moultons' home, and no one was sanctioned, but there is now a "No Trespassing" sign in front of the house. How incredibly welcoming. It is obviously directed to anyone involved in Kyron's missing persons case; one of his natural parents was the target. But to whom else is it directed? Anyone involved in the effort to find Kyron? Kyron's other parent? If so, how could visitation possibly take place? Extended visits, should Terri ever fight for them and get them, generally take place at the noncustodial parent's residence. Can Kaine even take her there without being accused of trespassing? As Kyron's father, the words, "Terri, where's Kyron?" are more than likely to leave his lips every time he sees her, until she clears up those failed polygraphs and multiple conflicting stories.
Suppose Terri's daughter, herself, wants to know what happened to Kyron? She is, after all, Kyron's sister. The Moultons seem to think that she will never wonder about Kyron. As an only child, Terri apparently doesn't understand the love siblings have for one another. It only makes sense that Kyron's sister will ask about him, one day; and try to find him. Does the "No Trespassing" sign apply to her presence, as well?
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