My mother’s lawyer stood. “Your Honor, I’m Penelope James, representing Kennedy Chambers.”
Erica stood next. “Erica Sawyer, representing Clive and Penny Easton. With me is Mary Proctor, the case manager assigned to Adrienne and Amiyah.”
The judged nodded. “Thank you. Mrs. Sawyer, please present the reasons for this emergency removal request.”
“You Honor, Mrs. Chambers showed up at the Easton residence to claim her daughters who were visiting with their sister and her oldest daughter, who’s seated behind me.”
She motioned to me, and Kennedy sprang to her feet.
“Your Honor, I specifically told her and my children to stay away from each other. I don’t want them around—”
Judge Bishop cut her off. “Ms. James, I implore you to remind your client not to speak until spoken to.”
“Yes, Your Honor.”
She guided Kennedy back into her seat, whispering softly to her. The judge motioned for Erica to continue.
“As I was saying, she came to claim her daughters. During that time, Ms. Chambers was very verbally and physically aggressive toward Mr. Easton and her oldest daughter. She slapped both of them and made threats toward her other two children. She forced them to leave with her. Their sister, expressing genuine concern for their well-being, requested a wellness check when she didn’t hear from the girls in over a week.
“An officer was first sent to the school, where it was discovered that neither of them had been in attendance for the entire week. He was told they were at home with COVID. The officer then went to the Chambers family’s residence. The problem was the disturbing conditions he found them in. Do I have permission to approach the bench?”
The judge nodded. Erica picked up an envelope and made her way to the front.
“Exhibit A. These are photos taken by the officer of the bruises on both girls.”
She handed over the photos and made her way back to the table as the judge looked them over. I hadn’t seen the photos, but the look on her face told me they were bad.
“In addition, Ms. Chambers further punished her daughters by removing all personal belongings from their bedroom, leaving them with only a blow-up mattress—no pillows, no blankets. Just the mattress. She took away any device that could be used to call for help should the need arise. She also took the battery out of Adrienne’s car to ensure they wouldn’t leave. While she left town to go on vacation with her boyfriend, the girls were left with no food. She scared them to the point where they hadn’t left the house in days.
“My clients are petitioning for temporary custody—at least until both girls are of age. Mrs. Easton is Ms. Chambers’ older sister. Adrienne and Amiyah know and love their aunt and uncle. They are ready and willing to take the girls home today.”
Judge Bishop nodded. “Thank you. Ms. James, does your client wish to respond to these allegations?”
“Yes, Your Honor. My client maintains that she does not abuse her children. The incident in question stems from a highly emotional incident. Ms. Chambers has expressed time and time again that she doesn’t want her daughters around their sister, a convicted felon. She had every right to be concerned for their safety.”
Erica stood. “Your Honor, I’ve also represented the eldest Chambers sister in her fight to freedom. Yes, she was convicted, but the circumstances were extremely sensitive. She served ten years in prison for the death of the man who molested and raped her for years. That man happened to be her mother’s boyfriend at the time. Clearly, she has a history of poor decision making when it comes to her children and their safety.”
“Rodney never touched her,” Mrs. West yelled.
Judge Bishop banged the gavel. “Order. Ma’am, who are you?”
“Marjorie West. Rodney West was my son. She killed him in cold blood.”
The judge shook her head. “While I sympathize with your loss, Mrs. West, this isn’t about you—”
“You Honor, you can’t let those children live in a house with a murderer. They were in the home when she did it. Do you know how traumatizing that would be?”
I was about to stand when both Ms. Vera and Killian grabbed my hands. Forced to relax in my seat, I took several deep breaths. She wanted to talk about trauma like her son hadn’t scared me for life.
Judge Bishop sighed. “I will address these concerns later. Mrs. West, sit down. One more outburst, and you’ll be the one sitting behind bars. Ms. James, please continue.”
“Thank you, Your Honor. As I was saying, Ms. Chambers and her daughters were both very upset with the circumstances surrounding their visit with their sister. It was made very clear that she didn’t wish them to have any contact. My client maintains that things got heated at home. Both she and her daughters exchanged licks, and she feels very bad about that. She has every right to be concerned about who her children are around, even if it’s their sibling.”
Erica shook her head. “With all due respect, your honor, Ms. Chambers wasn’t concerned when her eldest daughter tried to tell her what her boyfriend had been doing to her. She served ten years when she shouldn’t have served a day. If the woman would protect a rapist, surely, she would lie to protect herself. According to her daughters, this isn’t the first, second, or even third instance of this occurring.
“She’s just never left bruises to this extent. Sure, she was upset. I’ll give her that. However, it doesn’t erase the fact that she bruised them so badly that they had to miss school to avoid circumstances just like this. It doesn’t excuse the extreme stripping of their possessions and leaving them for days with no food and no way to contact anybody if there was an emergency. That, Your Honor, is abuse and neglect.
“The girls are old enough to speak for themselves. I have here a sworn statement from each of them, detailing things that have gone on in that house.” She picked up the papers and walked them over to the judge. “They are not safe, Your Honor. They should be with people who love, care for, and respect them.”
