The court case seemed to be wrapping up until January. It was then that I received notice that my brother wanted to be added as a party to the case. That basically means that he can have a voice, make input, motions, requests, etc of his own volition. He secured the Children's Law Institute of Denver to represent him for free, which is just what they do. I looked up his request to be added as a party, and figured it wouldn't be approved because the rules around it said that he had to have his request in to the courts in a 'timely' fashion, meaning before the courts made their ruling. He got it presented before a different judge who went ahead and approved it because he didn't know what was going on (apparently standard with that judge). The other parties were confused at the motion, but didn't object. They thought the case had been decided so why does he want to be added now? His intentions became clear very soon.
We met for the visitation determination hearing on the 31st of January, assuming we would get to find out how often I get to see my kids. It was supposed to be quick. Two hours then I know. That ended up not being the case. First thing, the county attorney calls Dorothy Rinderle to testify. She had previously testified that there was no way I would ever be able to keep up with the constantly changing demands of children because of my cognitive disability. This time, she testified that my brother had miraculously stabilized every negative behavior ever witnessed by anyone with regard to the children. All milestones had been surpassed, their development had jumped by lightyears. It was purely my brother's magnificence that fixed every problem. She stated without doubt that any visitation at all would throw the children back to the dark ages, mayhem would ensue, and all progress would be trampled.
After her testimony, someone called my brother to the stand. He took the stand repeatedly touting his relationship to his poor dear sister. He re-affirmed Ms Rinderle's testimony of the miracles, and how every negative behavior including toilet training regression occurred every time mention of my name was brought up to the children. Suddenly he broke into tears and required a 10 minute recess. We all sat around waiting for him to compose himself. Once he regained his mental fortitude, he continued by saying he dearly loves his poor sister, but that she is highly dangerous and the children must be protected by him without the court's help. He explained that 'the family' would be the only ones capable of protecting the children from my devious ways. No expert intervention would do, only he could tell what the signs were. He said that I bragged about how to properly abuse children under the radar for years, that I had brilliantly fooled all 5 experts who testified as to my mental condition. That my mental illness was so severe that only he could see the signs. That I should be gradually brought back into 'the family' fold, controlled of course, by him. He said 'the family' believes that I am extremely dangerous and only 'the family' can determine when I'm covertly abusing the children.
All of this took up the two allotted hours for the proceeding, so we had to continue the case. No verdict, no decision. We go back on the 13th for a whole day of testimony. I am sure I will be required to testify again, and it's likely they'll call the children who are old enough to testify. I'm sure it will be a spectacle like it always is with my family.
I called my sister after the court session was over and asked her point blank if she believed that I'm dangerous. She confirmed it pausing trepidatiously, and then saying, 'well, I believe you have made mistakes.'
Here is what is being asked for so far:
My brother is asking for no court oversight, no intervention, and no visits. His guise is that he would control visitation based on the children's reaction to the visits. If he thinks they react at all, he will stop all visits until he believes that I am sufficiently rehabilitated and will grant one more visit. If there is a reaction, he will stop the visit and not allow any further visits at all. He is also refusing guardianship as 'bad for the children' and seeking termination of my rights altogether so he can adopt the children, with a subsidy from the state of course.
I am seeking visitation. I would love to care for the children during my brother's numerous weekend trysts (1-2 weekends per month plus at least a week twice per year) when he typically leaves the children in the care of a stranger. I would love to pick them up from school and help them with homework. I would love to have therapy with my children.
Jason is seeking anything he can get, he doesn't care what it is.
So there is an update.
