Mother Accused of Abuse Gives Up Parental Rights
By Susan Parrott for the Associated Press
Originally published by The Associated Press, June 20, 2001
DALLAS (AP) — The mother of an 8-year-old girl found locked in a closet and malnourished has agreed to relinquish her parental rights so that the girl can placed with a couple who tried to adopt her at birth.
Barbara Atkinson's attorney said in a statement Wednesday that Atkinson would voluntarily give up her rights to her daughter, Lauren, in favor of Bill and Sabrina Kavanaugh, if the action is approved by Judge Cheryl Lee Shannon and Child Protective Services.
The girl weighed only 25 pounds when she was rescued last week. The 4- by 8-foot closet was littered with human waste and soiled clothing.
Authorities said the girl was imprisoned in the closet for at least four months in Atkinson's home in Hutchins, located about 20 miles south of Dallas.
Police also are investigating evidence of sexual abuse.
The Kavanaughs had custody of the girl but lost a chance to adopt her after Atkinson changed her mind and wanted the baby back after birth. They plan to attend Tuesday's hearing and ask for temporary custody of the girl.
Barbara Atkinson and the girl's stepfather, Kenneth Ray Atkinson, were arrested last week on charges of injury to a child, a felony that carries a prison term of from five to 99 years.
The Kavanaughs' attorney said they were "ecstatic."
"It's the right move," David Cole told TV station KDFW. "I'm hopeful that she (Atkinson) has had the time for reflection."
Child Protective Services spokeswoman Marleigh Meisner said Atkinson's statement does not mean that Lauren will automatically be placed with the Kavanaughs, but it does speed up the placement process.
"We are exploring the possibility of placing Lauren with the Kavanaughs," she said.
Lauren, now hospitalized at Children's Medical Center in Dallas, is able to talk and walk, but is still very ill, Meisner said.
Meanwhile, five other children in the house have been placed in foster care.
