But Montgomery County Prosecutor Mathias Heck Jr., during his cross-examination of Montgomery County Children Services Supervisor Donna Merrill, said the agency went above and beyond the call of duty by sending Mills to California twice and footing the entire bill. Merrill testified that Mills canceled a third visit in July 2010, at the last minute after the county already had paid for the trip and Mills had approved the dates. The Dayton Daily News has previously reported that the county paid nearly $4,000 for Mills’ trips to California.
Merrill testified that county policy requires birth parents to be permitted monthly visits, but is not required to provide transportation. She said that Mills expressed a lot of dissatisfaction about the visits: “He had lots of questions about whether it was a nice neighborhood or a nice enough hotel. He felt it wasn’t enough money for the transportation and the food and he was upset we didn’t pay for two extra bags for a two-night trip.”
Rena Jordan, Mills’ mother, appeared in court today after being hospitalized yesterday. She is also seeking custody of Vanessa in the hearing before Montgomery County Juvenile Court Judge Nick Kuntz.
Merrills’ testimony Tuesday established that Vanessa has never met her two full sisters, Heaven and Amiya, who are being raised by Jordan.
Gorman repeatedly ascertained from Merrill that all Children Services documents describe the goal in the child’s case as “reunification.” She also questioned Merrill about why Children Services stopped providing support to Mills last September and stopped paying monthly visits to him, which would be typical with a parent whose child is in interim temporary custody of the agency.
“We’re not working on reunification at this time until this custody matter is decided,” Merrill replied. “We’re in litigation and the communication at this point is between the attorneys.”
Under cross-examination by Heck, Merrill confirmed that Children Services did not have any involvement with the baby’s placement with a private adoption firm in California. She testified that the agency did not have interim temporary custody of the baby until July 2008, after Mills filed a paternity motion. By that time, Vanessa already had moved to California with her prospective adoptive mother, Stacey Doss, who has raised her since birth.
Andrea Conley, the birth mother, is not seeking custody.
At one point, Mills tried to converse politely with Merrill. Kuntz silenced him, adding, “You will have your opportunity to talk.”
“I can’t wait,” Mills replied.
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