Ricky Holland Vanished

Update:

Judge Lawless has officially terminated the parental rights of the 3 remaining siblings of Ricky Holland as well as the Holland’s biological daughter. The children are now considered wards of the state and are available for adoption. [Source]

Today a custody hearing was held in the Ingham County Family courtroom of Judge Janelle Lawless. Tim and Lisa Holland were both in attendance for the hearing. Tim Holland agreed voluntarily to give up his parental rights to his remaining adopted children. Tim Holland plead guilty to second-degree murder earlier this year in the death of his adopted son Ricky Holland. The remaining adopted children – ages 5 years to 2 years are Ricky’s siblings.

However, true to form, Lisa Holland is making the court decide to revoke her parental rights to the children.

Judge Lawless is expected to rule on that decision at 3 p.m. today. No decision was made regarding the Holland’s biological daughter. The current home for Ricky’s remaining siblings is with two of Tim Holland’s sisters.

[Source]

Tim and Lisa Holland were in court today for a custody hearing for their remaining four children. The children are currently in the custody of DHS but have been allowed to stay in pairs at each of Tim Holland’s two sisters homes.

Today the judge told Tim and Lisa Holland that it is not in the best interest of the children for them to retain custody or to have them visit while they are in jail. Both parties agreed to that but that is where the agreeing ended.

Lisa Holland would like the children placed in her sister’s home. Tim Holland wants the children to remain with his family members. Lisa Holland’s family was awarded monitored visitation.

There will be another hearing in March to determine custody. By law DHS must allow Lisa Holland’s relatives to apply for custody of the children. They will be tested by DHS to see if they are also a viable alternative for placement.

In my entry yesterday I mentioned the victims that Tim and Lisa Holland left in the wake of their actions. I did not mention these four children; they are the tiniest victims of all.

Their scars will remain forever. They will always wonder what happened to their brother, why he was there one day and gone the next never to return. They will wonder why they were once again removed from another home, they will wonder on some level if they were at fault. I do not think I am too off base with this type of thinking. Children think that the world revolves around them, they are wired that way.

Some of the emotional scars they will face will most likely include fear of abandonment and survivor’s guilt. They will carry these scars with them into their adulthood and into their future relationships. They will lose trust for adults because in their world they have learned not only from their biological mother, Casey Jo Caswell, but now Tim and Lisa Holland that adults cannot be trusted. Adults cannot be trusted to stick around.

It is hard to know what is in the best interest of the remaining children. I do not know how familiar or close they are to Tim or Lisa Holland’s extended family. It is a double-edged sword to place them with Tim Holland’s family, Lisa Holland’s family or in a foster home; none of the choices are good choices in my book.

In light of the new information regarding Matt Caswell being a registered sex offender, Casey Caswell is definitely out of contention for even temporary custody as far as I am concerned. Most likely Ricky Gann, the father of the remaining three siblings could not get custody because he was recently released from jail.

These children have inherited a heavy legacy. I don’t believe that any parent gives birth to a child with the intention of screwing up that child’s life.

Most likely poverty and poor choices caused Casey Jo Caswell and Ricky Gann to lose custody of their children in the first place.I would imagine that when it is very quiet at night, when all one can hear is the sound of your thoughts, that is when Casey Jo Caswell and Ricky Gann look back and think about each poor choice they made that sealed the fate of all of their children.***

WILX
Friday, February 10, 2006
Holland Children Remain in State Custody

Lansing State Journal
Friday, February 10, 2006
Judge rules children can stay with Tim Holland’s relatives