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May 28, 2008 6:28 pm US/Central
Children Of Murdered Mom Must Undergo Counseling
McKINNEY (CBS 11 News) ―
A legal battle involving the children of a murdered mother played out in a McKinney courtroom Wednesday.
Brent Stephens remains jailed, accused of beating Denise Stephens to death with a baseball bat on May 12. Denise was his ex-wife.
Wendall and Paula Seaman, Brent's parents, were in court asking for the right to see their three granddaughters several times a month.
"They've had substantial contact with those children in the past," said Rick Weaver, the Seaman's attorney. "They're good people and should have an opportunity to continue to see their grandkids on some basis that's reasonable."
The girls, ages 2, 7 and 9, are currently staying with Betty Seymour, Denise's mother.
"They're doing good, trying to keep busy. They miss their mom," said Seymour. "There's a lot of tears at night and a lot of cuddling. But we're going to be okay."
She said granting the Seamans access to the girls is not in their best interest. "They're afraid of their father at this point, and anything that reminds them of their father is what they're afraid of at this point," she said.
Judge John Roach, Jr. ordered the girls to undergo counseling before continuing the custody hearing.
"I think that's a good thing for the girls," Seymour said. "They need some counseling to deal with all of this tragedy that they've had in their lives right now."
The counselor will offer her recommendation about the paternal grandparents' rights on July 14.
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