(10-19-01 This is very similar to the original web page that was posted on this website. The Brown's are free now. Thanks to all of the parents and grandparents that supported the Browns and CRPR.)
Wednesday, December 13, 2000
Thank you.
" 'Fit' Kentucky Parents Receive Jail Sentence"
On July 21, 1997, the paternal birth grandmother, Ms. Kitts, filed a petition for grandparent visitation against the Browns.
Melanie Brown watched as her daughter, Odessa, changed from the child she had nurtured and raised. She found that Odessa developed a migraine disorder, experienced nightmares, sleeplessness, anxiety about being away from her parents; became fearful, defiant, distractible, and was often 'sad'. She began having difficulty getting along with her brothers and sisters, friends, family, and began being aggressive and insecure.
At one point, Odessa allegedly reported to her parents that Ms. Kitts had told her she would take Odessa away, and that she would 'take both of them to heaven so that (they) could not interfere with (our) relationship'. Melanie Brown states that this, "I take to mean that she considered killing my child and herself". She and David disallowed visits.
The Browns brought to the attention of the court their belief that the visitation order violates their fundamental rights to the 'care, custody and control' as parents under the 14th amendment of the United States Constitution, and their contention that the Kentucky Grandparent Visitation statute is in violation of the 14th amendment, and therefore 'unconstitutional', and further that they are being over-ridden by the court in their decision as Odessa's parents. They believe, that in order to protect their child from harm, that they have no choice but to violate the order by disallowing visits. | |
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