Mother regains custody of boy abused by custodial father (St. Bernard Parish, Louisiana)

The mother of the 14-year-old boy abused by custodial dad DANIEL BALLARD regained custody of the boy on Monday. He will need a lot of tender, loving, care--and feeding.


http://www.wwltv.com/local/stories/wwl091609tpballard.1874c08dd.html


Boy found underweight, injured released to mother

01:22 PM CDT on Wednesday, September 16, 2009

WWLTV.com

A 14-year-old boy who was taken from his father’s home last week weighing only 60 pounds and badly injured has been released into the custody of his mother, according to a spokesperson with the St. Bernard Parish Sheriff’s Office.

The boy, whose name has not been released, was found living with his father in squalid conditions in an RV. He was taken to the hospital with a leg and arm injury that hadn’t been treated. He was also severely underweight.

The mother, who lives in Arizona, said she had little contact with the young man since sending him to live with his father four years ago when she was ill.

Daniel Ballard, the father, was charged in the case, but is currently free on bond, according to Deputy Chief James Pohlmann.

The child’s mother was awarded custody of the young man during a hearing Monday.