Parents' Visits With Girl Must Be Supervised

Parents' Visits With Girl Must Be Supervised

By TODD LESKANIC, THE TAMPA TRIBUNE | Tbo.com

Published: August 27, 2007

DADE CITY - A 3-year-old Wesley Chapel girl remains in her grandmother's custody as the Pasco County Sheriff's Office continues to investigate her sister's death.

A judge removed Macie Spohn from her parents' Wesley Chapel home in March after her younger sister, Ryanne, died of a brain injury. The judge allowed parents Jeff and Heather Spohn visits with their child, provided they were supervised by relatives.

Attorneys for both parents recently filed motions contesting the state Department of Children & Families' decision that the visits must be supervised by someone other than relatives.

At a court hearing Tuesday, Circuit Judge Lynn Tepper upheld DCF's decision.

According to testimony, DCF staff made the decision after reviewing the medical examiner's report on Ryanne's death. Visits will be supervised by DCF, staff at a visitation center or an agreed-upon third party.

Ryanne died March 2 after being taken to University Community Hospital with a head injury. Ryanne died of a brain hemorrhage, according to the sheriff's office. Jeff Spohn told investigators Ryanne, who was 18 months old, was injured after falling from a safety gate and hitting her head.

The case remains under investigation as detectives await more information, sheriff's office spokesman Kevin Doll said, declining to elaborate.

Another hearing in the dependency case is scheduled for Tuesday.

Reporter Todd Leskanic can be reached at (352) 521-3156 or tleskanic@tampatrib.com.