OFFICIAL SAYS CARROLLS CLOSE TO GETTING SONS

OFFICIAL SAYS CARROLLS CLOSE TO GETTING SONS

Todd R. Wallack

December 20, 1994

Dayton Daily News

After an emotional legal battle, Timothy and Kathleen Carroll are finally on the verge of regaining permanent custody of their sons Isaiah and Samuel, said Greene County Prosecutor William F. Schenck.

But before that happens, Schenck said he will do everything he can to complete the probe into the death of their son, Josiah, one of four Carroll children who died mysteriously between September 1992 and June 1993. The coroner has ruled Josiah's June 1993 death a homicide. "There are literally hundreds of questions left to be answered," Schenck said. "We have a very narrow window of time."

On Monday, the Carrolls met for hours with a Greene County grand jury and were expected to return to court today. Two weeks ago, Isaiah - the 12-year-old with cerebral palsy who said he saw his older brother James smother Josiah to death - testified before the grand jury.

In all, Schenck said he expects roughly two dozen witnesses to testify behind closed doors in the next two months, fielding hundreds of detailed questions. None of the witnesses has refused to appear, he said.

The Cedarville family has faced intense scrutiny since Hannah, 6, died two years ago from bleach burns. Their son James was acquitted after a three-day trial last year, but after three more children died, James became a suspect in Josiah's death as well.

Following the mysterious deaths, a judge last year ordered Isaiah and Samuel be put into foster care, sparking a lengthy custody battle.

Schenck said a judge will likely give the Carrolls permanent custody of the children in late February.