Posted: 1/18/05
George pleads to county board for his children
By David Heiller
Argus News Editor
Houston County commissioners heard a 35-minute plea from an Arkansas man who wants his children returned to him.
ìWhy canít I just get my kids and go home?î Rickey George, who is from Violet Hills, Arkansas, asked board members.
Georgeís parental rights for his two pre-school aged children were involuntarily terminated by Judge James Fabian on November 2. George is appealing that decision with the Minnesota Court of Appeals.
Sheriff Mike Lee, saying he was serving as Georgeís ìinterpreter,î sat next to him. George has restraining orders from multiple Houston County offices. He also was also charged last August with making terroristic threats, and with fifth degree assault. Both Houston County attorneys attended last weekís meeting
In his southern accent, George gave a rambling statement that went from the moonshine business in Arkansas to commissioner Ann Thompsonís church attendance.
He criticized courthouse workers, calling them ìcomplete idiots.î He railed against the department of human services, the foster parents who have his two children, and a Caledonia family that he claims has undue influence in the county.
ìWhatís going on in this case? Whose running this county?î he asked.
When George had finished, second district commissioner Kevin Kelleher said that the process of dealing with Georgeís children is not under the control of the county board, and that human services handles child protection. ìI donít know the names of your children,î he said. ìI wish you well in your life, but this board does not have the authority to influence your case.î Houston County Attorney Rick Jackson then said that all court proceedings had been handled properly, and that George has competent legal representation.
Jackson added that his office had not been served any notice as far as investigations of any wrong doings.
First district commissioner Larry Graf asked how the courts weigh the needs of children with keeping them with their family.
Jackson said that the best interest of the child takes precedent. The goal of reunification and the best interests of children are sometimes but not always compatible, he said.
Graf said that George has to follow the rules in place. ìThatís just the way it is,î he said.
About the case
According to Children in Need of Protective Services (CHIPS) records, the mother of Georgeís two children moved to Houston County in late May or early June of 2003 and lived in Houston with her sister.
A public health nurse visited the home in July of 2003 and was concerned about the motherís parenting ability. The mother acknowledged her lack of skills to the nurse.
The children were put in foster care in July 2003 and determined to be in need of protection in August 2003.
Interstate Compact for the Placement of Children (ICPC) was denied for George on May 24, 2004. An ICPC is an agreement in which states work together to find placement for children.
A petition to terminate parental rights was filed by the Department of Human Services on June 23, 2004. They were terminated on November 2.
A findings of fact dated July 22 stated that the court found that it was in the childrenís best interest and the least restrictive alternative for the children to remain in their foster care replacement.
Georgeís public defender, Kurt Kniesel of Winona, has filed an appeal on the termination. A ruling could come in April, assistant county attorney Sue Harnack told The Argus on January 7.
George was charged on August 12, 2004 with one count of making terroristic threats, a felony; and two counts of disorderly conduct, both misdemeanors. A plea hearing is scheduled for these charges for February 2 at 9 a.m. in Third District Court.
George has also been charged with driving without a valid Minnesota license, fifth degree assault, and disorderly conduct. He pled not guilty to those charges on August 23, and has requested a jury trial. A pre-trial hearing is set for February 23, with a trial set for May 10 and 11.
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