CARROLLS TRY TO REGAIN CUSTODY OF 2 CHILDREN

CARROLLS TRY TO REGAIN CUSTODY OF 2 CHILDREN

April 30, 1994

Janice Haidet

Dayton Daily News

Timothy and Kathleen Carroll went to juvenile court Friday to try to regain custody of their two handicapped children and the freedom to live without court restrictions.

But Greene County Visiting Judge Richard T. Cole postponed any action until a May 18 hearing. The Cedarville couple wanted an immediate hearing in an attempt to get Isaiah, 11, and Samuel, 6, returned to their home. Those children have been in foster care since August, following the suspicious deaths of four other adopted children.

Two Carroll children without physical disabilities, Hosea, 10, and James, who just turned 18, have remained in the family's home.

In January 1993, the Carrolls pleaded guilty to neglect charges in the September 1992 bleach-burning death of adopted child Hannah Carroll, 6. The court placed the couple on five years' probation.

John H. Rion, who is Mrs. Carroll's lawyer, said the court should lift the probation because the Carrolls have done everything officials have asked them to.

But Greene County Prosecutor William F. Schenck said he is "vehemently opposed" to the couple being released from probation. He said he doesn't blame the Carrolls for wanting the probation lifted so they can leave Greene County, but he said the probation is needed to allow officials to "keep an eye on them."

"Without probation status for the Carrolls, there would be no restrictions upon their travel and their ability to adopt more children," Schenck stated in court documents.