Attorney General Seeks to Terminate Couple's Parental Rights As Judge Reopens Case

By Charles Bassett, NEWS 9

FAIRVIEW, Oklahoma -- The Attorney General's office is seeking to terminate the parental rights of a Major County couple convicted of child abuse.

Ardee and Penny Tyler were convicted of abusing one of their five adopted children. The Tyler's adult son was convicted of raping the same girl. Last week, Judge Vinson Barefoot ruled to let the girl's four sisters remain in the Tyler's home.

Judge Barefoot said he stands by his ruling.

"They wouldn't be there if I didn't feel in my heart they're safe. I can make that promise," Barefoot said.

Attorney General Drew Edmondson and Major County District Attorney Hollis Thorpe called for a judicial review by a new judge.

"It's nothing personal against him, and I think he's agonized and put a lot of hours on this case. We just have different opinions," Thorpe said.

Another judge reopened the case on Wednesday and ordered that the sisters be put back under the supervision of The Department of Human Services. This means welfare checks on the girls will be done on a regular basis.

The attorney for the girls, Melvin Johnson, said he's happy with the ruling and he sees this is the first step to permanently removing the girls from the home of Ardee and Penny Tyler.

Attorney General Drew Edmondson announced after the ruling to reopen the case that his office will seek permanent termination of the Tyler's parental rights.

Attempts to contact the Tyler's attorney were unsuccessful.