Superior Court to hear objections in Blackburn case

By JOHN WALKER

Kathy Blackburn remains in the house built for her and her children with charitable donations — fighting the attempt by some of those who solicited the donations to evict her.

A hearing in the eviction suit is scheduled for 3 p.m. Monday in Shelby Superior Court 1. The court is due to hear objections by the Shelby County Ministerial Association to an intervention in the case, which was filed by the Indiana Attorney General’s office.

In its motion to intervene, the attorney general’s office said it was stepping in to protect the interests of the public in “actions taken by a charitable trust,” meaning the association.

Indiana Attorney General Steve Carter said his office is not taking sides with either Blackburn or the association but wants to be sure the interests of any children still living in the house and the donors who gave money to build the house are protected.

“The attorney general has the authority to look into funds for charities to be sure the intent of the donors is realized,” Carter said.

Formed in the early 1990s, the association raised about $115,000 to build the 14-bedroom house at 5445 S. State Road 9 for Kathy and her then-husband Dan Blackburn and the 28 Haitian children they had adopted. The couple, who are now divorced, were missionaries in Haiti.

Carl R. Mohr deeded about five acres of land to the association in March 1994 as a site for the house.

Last year the association sued to evict Blackburn saying the house was in disrepair and the environment was not suitable for children, noting that several of the Blackburn kids had been in trouble with the law.

The association, a group of Shelby County ministers, had a charitable group, Trinicon Ministries, interested in moving into the property to set up a shelter for battered women or homeless families.

In May 2000, the state dissolved the Ministerial Association as a non-profit group because it failed to maintain the proper documentation. It was reinstated last year.

Blackburn contends the association told the donors it was raising money to build the house for her and her children, and to use the house for another purpose would be betraying the donors’ trust.

If, after the hearing Monday, the judge in the case decides not to grant the attorney general’s motion to intervene, Carter said his office will try to play a role as mediator between the association and Blackburn, possibly outside the courtroom, to see the interests of any children remaining at home and the donors are protected.

A trial is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. on June 18 in Shelby Superior Court 1.