Rhonda Tavey wants to keep Katrina kids.

[Kitty]

“Their parents are into drugs, crime, and I know God put these kids into my hands to take care of,” she said.

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcont....1f456972.html

Rhonda Tavey of Houston has had primary care of the five Alphonse siblings aged 8-3 years old since shortly after Hurricane Katrina in 2005. She also opened her home to the children's 22 year-old mother who spent most of her time in Louisiana. When Ms Alphonse recently arrived at Rhonda's Houston home they argued briefly over some financial matters and Ms Alphonse threatened Rhonda and said she was going to take the kids with her. Rhonda Tavey packed up the kids and hit the road. She had been in contact with the district attorney and was making arrangements when the Amber alert was issued, along with a warrant for Rhonda Tavey's arrest. But Harris County prosecutor Jane Waters said: “She has no legal custody to the children, no legal basis for keeping the children."

I have a bad feeling about this whole thing.. A girl allows someone else to raise her kids -- and all of a sudden she wants them back? Did she find out how much her check would be if she had them in her posession?


Interview with Ms Alphonse: http://www.wfaa.com/video/?nvid=270596&shu=1
Interview with Rhonda Tavey: http://video.aol.com/video-detail/ex...id=VIDLRVNWS02

[Gilbrit]

[SoUncool]

Four days after being charged with kidnapping five siblings, a Houston woman today is seeking custody of the children.

Read the whole story here:
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/front/5936700.html

[michelle]

Torn. I don't have enough info. Maybe mom is looking for a free ride? Are the accusations of abuse true? Maybe mom finally got her shit together? Poor kids.

[Dakota Valkyrie]

Child Protective Services spokeswoman Estella Olgiun says that no abuse or wrongdoing was found in its investigation of Erica Alphonse, 24. She said the family "has the right to go on with their everyday lives."

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/tx/5943341.html

I'm hoping that CPS is right. Sometimes they are, I hope. THose kids have been through enough.

[petrina]

one of my best friends is a Katrina survivor. and when she was in NOLA she taught the kids from the projects. most every child she taught had a father who was or is in prison. and my friend, with all the education, support, and resources you could ask for, is still suffering from PTSD. She and her husband lived apart for 2 years, and so did most of her friends - while they found jobs in other cities while trying to rebuild.

i dont know how a poverty-stricken single mom of 4 could handle it.

there are millions of children living in poverty. i dont think we should just hand them out to whomever wants them. i could provide for a child better than some, but that doesnt mean i can just take them like i am at a farmers market.