JURY SELECTION STARTS IN MOTHER'S BID TO REGAIN CUSTODY

The Dallas Morning News

FORT WORTH -- A pool of 60 potential jurors was called Monday as jury selection began in the trial of a 19-year-old mother who is seeking custody of a daughter born in a home for unwed mothers.

Ellen Breeding of Shreveport, La., signed papers relinquishing custody after her daughter was born in the Edna Gladney Home. She later changed her mind and contested termination of her parental rights.

In a May hearing, Miss Breeding was denied visitation rights. On Wednesday, state District Judge Frank Sullivan denied a motion filed by the Gladney home to end Miss Breeding's parental rights without a jury trial.

She is the second unwed mother to challenge the Gladney home in the placing of a baby for adoption this year. In April, Barbara Landry of New York lost her bid to regain custody of her baby.

This will be the first jury trial to decide the outcome of a custody dispute involving the Gladney home, said Bill Schur, an attorney for the home.

A jury will decide whether Miss Breeding's parental rights will be terminated or whether the child will be returned to her. The 7-month-old girl remains with foster parents until the case is decided.