01/06/00 03:03:13

My URL: Visit Me

Comments:
now you have lost both girls,how sad

01/06/00 00:31:00

Name: Gloria	My URL: Visit Me
How did you hear about us?: another web link	What organization(s) are you associated with?: Grands Care

Comments:
I have been taking care of my grand-daughter for 10 years, I have legal custody of her here in England. My daughter is an alcoholic and has had problems taking care of my grand-daughter since she was born. She has lived with me since she was born, and m daughter signed a paper for me to take care of J because she knew that I would bring her up right. My daughter has just gone through rehab and I am hoping that she will be able to take more responsibility for J soon. J wants to stay with me until she s certain that her Mum is completely sober. My prayers are with you and your family. You know that you have done the best you could under the circumstances, and that's what counts. Blood is thicker than water and anyone who hasn't walked in your shoes will never understand how you feel and why you do the things you do. Love makes us do things that others cannot understand. People are always saying what a great woman I am for caring for my grand-daughter. I don't think that way, I feel that I am doing what any grandmother would do for her flesh an blood, there is no thought that goes into the decision, it is a natural reaction. I love all of my family and would do the same for any of them. J is a wonderful young lady, she understands why Mum can't take care of her, and she loves her even so. We ave all been to family councelling and the alcohol abuse program and it has drawn us all closer together. Good luck to you, from one grandmother/mother to another.

06/29/99 15:13:29

Name: Malissa Burleson	My URL: Visit Me
My Email: Email Me	Did you come by link or find our address?: link

Comments:
I feel terrible about this whole thing. Kelly should never be a mother. What is happening to our court system...It doesn't even protect our children anymore...especially when they need to be protected from there own parents.

05/19/99 05:08:40

Name: charlene	My URL: Visit Me
My Email: Email Me	How did you hear about us?: unsolved mysteries

Comments:
Kelly had a child already she knew what she was doing.She should have taken care of the baby when it was born, but o she didn't want her.She asked her mother to adopt Zenith.Her mother loved her enough to do that.Then when the child is 4 years old Kelly comes in and takes her from the only family she knows and moves her to another country.Well what kind of mother is that!the child will now be emotionally scared forever by the one who is supposed to love her the most.Kelly had various oppertunities to be a part of her life but choose herself first.Kelly is a very selfish person.the only thing she accomplished in doing this was hurting everyone who loves her and whom she is supposed to love.No one is happy with the outcome of this except Kelly.Since when did our goverment start doing what's in the best interest of the parent and not the child!!It's a cruel world we live in when someone can hurt achild the way she did.. SEND ZENITH TO THE FAMILY THAT TRUELY LOVES HER! BE STRONG CONNIE AND DONALD SHE'LL COME BACK TO YOU IN HE END AND IN THE MEANTIME HER HEART WILL ALWAYS BE WITH YOU!!!

05/19/99 05:08:22

Name: charlene	My URL: Visit Me
My Email: Email Me	How did you hear about us?: unsolved mysteries

Comments:
Kelly had a child already she knew what she was doing.She should have taken care of the baby when it was born, but o she didn't want her.She asked her mother to adopt Zenith.Her mother loved her enough to do that.Then when the child is 4 years old Kelly c mes in and takes her from the only family she knows and moves her to another country.Well what kind of mother is that!the child will now be emotionally scared forever by the one who is supposed to love her the most.Kelly had various oppertunities to be a art of her life but choose herself first.Kelly is a very selfish person.the only thing she accomplished in doing this was hurting everyone who loves her and whom she is supposed to love.No one is happy with the outcome of this except Kelly.Since when did ur goverment start doing what's in the best interest of the parent and not the child!!It's a cruel world we live in when someone can hurt achild the way she did.. SEND ZENITH TO THE FAMILY THAT TRUELY LOVES HER! BE STRONG CONNIE AND DONALD SHE'LL COME BACK TO YOU IN HE END AND IN THE MEANTIME HER HEART WILL ALWAYS BE WITH YOU!!!

05/01/99 12:08:21

Name: Brad Zimmerman	My URL: Visit Me
My Email: Email Me	Did you come by link or find our address?: Net Search

Comments:
First, let me say that I have little doubt you and your wife love the child in question with all your heart. I must say though, I believe you have abused the system, misrepresented the issues in the case, and caused more damage to the little girl by your actions than if you had simply followed the courts decision and focused on Connie's daughter, Kelly. You could've helped her to become more productive and capable of properly raising her child rather than kidnapping the child you profess to love. Although I found your page interesting, it presents a picture of an obsessive compulsive woman (Connie) who seems unwilling to extend love or compassion to her own daughter. Many of the situations described are obviously just as biased as you feel the pr sentation on Unsolved Mysteries was. The fact is, a court awarded Kelly legal custody and you and your wife took it upon yourselves to make your own determination without any regard for legalities. I don't see where you've demonstrated that the child wa in physical jeopardy or that you provide a more stable home in which to raise her. Zenith was obviously distraught with the tremendous turmoil brought about by the irresponsible and immature behavior of the adult family members in her life. But her safety did not appear to be in jeopardy. The mere fact that you and your wife would fle the country with your own grandchild, depriving her of contact with her mother, says a great deal about the two of you. In addition, most of the behaviors exhibited by Kelly you use to portray her as a cold, unfeeling, strung out mother, could easily be normal reactions to what she considers attempts to circumvent her wishes and illegally take possession of her daughter. ven if one dismisses her claims that she was tricked into signing adoption papers, your behavior was still reprehensible. Why did Connie refuse to allow her daughter the prerogative to change her mind regarding the adoption? In the event of a promised c ild to a stranger, I could accept this type of behavior. Certainly not from someone's own mother though. Furthermore, your insinuation that Kelly causes Zenith to become withdrawn and angry with each visit is also misdirected. The behavior you describe from the child is indicative of psychological manipulation and a reaction to turmoil in her home life. It' entirely possible that Kelly is perpetrating this on her daughter -- even more likely that Connie has overwhelmed the child with it. The whole situation is chaotic and unstructured. You and Connie appear as much responsible for the unproductive environ ent this child is forced to live in as Kelly. Your claims of unfairness and the possibility that you might be jailed are indications that the system you so vehemently oppose is working. Should we allow every person who questions a mother's fitness for c ild rearing to take custody and flee the country without warning or notification? Certainly in cases of unreported molestation, rape, or physical abuse, but you haven't proved any of those events took place when the child was in Kelly's custody. Your story also includes several situations and events that are completely irrelevant to the child in question. Your tax burden and deadline has no bearing on this little girl's welfare yet you mention it over and over in your whining presentation. Tax t me for programmers is of no significance in this matter. You go on to claim that you were working 20 hours/day during this time period. Despite the improbability of such a workload (who works from 6AM until 2AM, sleeps four hours, and then starts the pr cess all over again?) it certainly is not Kelly's fault even if it were true. When you make such obvious exaggerations, it's difficult to regard the other statements you make as whole truths. Quite frankly, glaring inconsistencies shed doubt on the credibility of your statements. They also lead one to question your capacity to ascertain directives handed down to you by the court. For example, in your March 25, 1995 entry, you claim that the co rt strongly suggested Connie be used as a babysitter for the child. No where does it state that such instruction is a specific order of the court. It was simply a recommendation. Yet on June 1, 1995 you enter the following: >Michael comes to live in Arizona. Kelly often sends Zenith with a babysitter >dispite the court order to use Connie as a sitter. At >least 5 different people deliver Zenith for visits. How did a recommendation suddenly become a court order? There's much more but it's not worth the time to go into. I don't know you, Connie, or her daughter. Kelly may be an unfit mother but you obviously don't have enough evidence to convince a court of that. From reading your account of the events that tra spired, Connie Jean is a manipulative woman that has very little compassion or empathy for her own daughter. By your own admission, you kidnapped your grandchild and fled the country. Your lack of regard for the legal system of Utah is not a legitimate e culpate for your actions. Society, as a whole, is growing weary of individuals that disregard law on the basis of circumstance. To sum it up, poor Zenith would probably be better off without further contact with any of you. Still, Kelly is her biological mother and should be given a chance to raise her own daughter. You haven't presented enough evidence to convince a court, or m self, of anything to the contrary. Obviously the best interest of the child has been thrown to the wind in this horrible situation. It's my sincere hope that all parties involved focus their efforts on what's important to the child rather than satisfying bruised egos and unresolved person l issues between mother and daughter. Sadly for Zenith, it appears she loses either way. Regards, Brad Zimmerman Seattle, WA

04/30/99 13:56:21

Name: Karena Wallace	My URL: Visit Me
How did you hear about us?: Through the internet	Did you come by link or find our address?: by link

Comments:
I just wanted to let you know that you and Zenith are in my prayers. It is very obvious that the child belongs with you. Your daughter will realize the impact that this has had on Zenith in the long run. God speed! Karena J. Wallace

04/20/99 20:59:14

Name: Ruth Knibbs	My URL: Visit Me
My Email: Email Me	How did you hear about us?: your visit to me
Did you come by link or find our address?: your Christmas letter

Comments:
Before Don, Jean, and Michael took Zenith to Iceland they lived nearby. I remember that one day when Jean and Don brought Zenith over to visit me. When it was time to take Zenith back to Kelly I remembered how she cried and didn't want to go. She was mu h happier with her grandmother and grandfather.

04/02/99 20:54:55

Name: Lynette Ledingham	My URL: Visit Me
My Email: Email Me	How did you hear about us?: internet
What organization(s) are you associated with?: Babtist Church / Education system in New Zealan

Comments:
Keep your hope in what you know is true and know that what you have done right can not be undone. Watch out for the children they are important that is why I have trained towork as a Teacher at Primary school level. I have over the years seen much hurt n the children and the best way for me to help is as a teacher and through this position give my children and those in our small rural school love, acceptance and teachingsthat would help them growin their spirits. God bless you and may you see the fruit of your good work. Lynette

03/04/99 22:35:39

Name: Hera	My URL: Visit Me
How did you hear about us?: geo	What organization(s) are you associated with?: n/a

Comments:
I have lived all over the world and know a lot of people that have been adopted and people who have given up children for adoption. This story is not an exception about the U.S. adoption laws. I think the U.S. is out of control when it comes to adoption. From what I have read of the court documents in this case this child was given up for adoption willingly. As in so many other adoption cases in the U.S. birth parents can come along any time nd take the child back. Common sense tells you that a child that is given up for adoption should only be given back in certain cases. For instance if the child is abused, the birth mother was a teenager under age and forced by parents to give up child, and similar things like hat. Not when the birth parent decides I am ready to take the child back. It has been said that the childs first three years will determine much how they will be as adults. I am positive this child will find out in later years about all this. She will probably want to find out why and where's about her life. Be it now or when she turns eighteen. I hope she will be taught the truth about how her adoptive parents treated her, not how the birth mother feels about the adoptive parents. This will be in the best interest of the child. Children grow into adults and form their own opinons, therefore lets hope she will know the truth, because if she finds out she has been lied too she might be upset. This should be about the child. We should remember who it was that did not want this child born and who did want her born. The U.S. should change the laws about adoption so it can be fair on everyone not just the birth parents, that can come along anytime and disrupt the childs life. Anyone that has to declare in public they are good parents better take a good look at themselves. Let other people tell in public how good a parent you are. I have seven children. I know in my heart what kind of parent I am. I do not have to tell the public I leave that up to others.

02/04/99 18:51:38

Name: Brooks Hanes	My URL: Visit Me
My Email: Email Me	How did you hear about us?: I searched for my last name
What organization(s) are you associated with?: University of Tennessee	Did you come by link or find our address?: Found address

Comments:
It sounds like a very interesting situation. I am not totally sure of all the details, but it sounds like heartbreak.

12/30/98 02:54:49

Name: Joella	My URL: Visit Me
How did you hear about us?: Michael	What organization(s) are you associated with?: none
Did you come by link or find our address?: i was told

Comments:
Do what you think-know is right

12/28/98 05:45:05

Name: amy krueger	My URL: Visit Me
How did you hear about us?: a close friend	What organization(s) are you associated with?: mdfow

Comments:
i read the letter to you responding to the letter that kelly had sent to you about the girls and how their life has progressed to a somewhat normal state,that is considering all that they have been thru. Now connie you know =profanity removed= well that t e only reason hat kelly ever had the thought of you raising zena is because you had been pushing her and other members of your family to donate an egg to you so that you could try to make a baby of your own for you and donald( such a low level on the chart to close to he suck hole for me ) anyway you kept pressuring her and you don't know how many times kelly and i talked about how you attempting to have a baby could kill you you idiot she only gave into your pressure so that you could live. You are a sick woman and re in serious need of therapy, years of it, for all of the years that i have known you and your family, that is since 1972 when i was three and all that kelly has said is the truth and that is why she has zena. I would also like to add that women like PJ whom wrote that last entry might just as well join you in therapy on the beach or in the sand i don't care where but all of our children need you to grow up and be the women that the world needs you to be and not the mom that you fantasize about being. I know that you'll respond to this letter because youjust can't let go of control..... remember control kills relationship.... and you have killed all of your past relationships . Anyone reading this letter should know that I am so happy that connie and do ald are stuck in Iceland and i hope that they learn to love living in an icy =profanity removed= for there will come a day when they shall face their creator and will have to pass his judgement. respectfully submitted, amy

11/13/98 17:20:18

Name: A close observer

Comments:
I read the "letter" from your daughter. She has not yet faced the you that is in her. The good and the bad that was her childhood with you she uses as an excuse to hate. There are some truths about not repeating your paths as a younger mother. Like m , Jean, you came from a lost lineage. You rambled in the wilderness with your children and relationships with men. The you I know has been shaped into a good woman by faith and principles. As parents we are the soil for our children, and we vary like t e parable of the seeds scattered among all the different grounds. And yes, we subject our children to what was ours to offer. The trouble among us is that without truth and knowledge we do not see the whole TAPESTRY; we do not forgive and we can torture our parents who were lost, for being lost. When one can see the f mily and accept its ugliness and still embrace it and infuse it with new light, truths, better behaviors and choices, then it is newly woven, it is a new piece. Kelly wants to erase her poor choices, her thorny paths. She would like to claim that her motherhood has been bright since he first child. If she could accept the ugliness in her life without blaming you, she may be the mother she hopes to be. She needs to embrace what you were and were not to her. Her vision of being a mother is limited by her hate. To read Kelly's letter to you makes me feel as if you and I are standing on a beach together. It is indeed overcast. The waves are furious and disturbed, as they are after a storm. There isn't anyone else with us, because we are sharing an understanding, a view of that vast angry ocean that belongs to us. The ocean speaks it fury and foam, dumps a littler wave on the sand, and then comes up to circle around our feet. Kelly is dumping her littler furious waves upon you, one day she may even wrap around your toes. Others will likely feel her hate being thrown at you and not think her so much the victim we know she is not. None of us are victims of our lineage-we are a part always, even in the breaking away towards the light.

10/26/98 00:48:57

Name: Your real daughter Kelly

My URL: Visit Me

Comments:
The Helton girls are very happy. The trama you created by trying to kidnap Zena has faded away like a bad dream. It saddens me to see the degree of severity you will go to to keep living this lie for the whole world who doesn't get the history of what a dysfunctional family we really are. I am and always have been a wonderful mother to both of my daughters. I have been in counseling for many years to undo the craziness that I grew up with as Connie Jean being my mother. I would not wish that ever on a y child and would fight to save any child that you think you're so worthy of adopting for the horrible life and fantasy you live in! I have created my vision of a healthy, loving and trusting family in the FOW and one great man who will soon be my husban and father to my children. I am thankful to organizations like the FBI who do know the truth of the kinds of parents like you who think they can control their childrens lives even as adults. Leave us alone...

10/26/98 00:17:55

Name: Your real daughter, Kelly

My URL: Visit Me

Comments:
The Helton girls are very happy and well. The trama of your attempts to kidnap Zena has faded away like a bad dream. I wish you would stop living in the fantasty world you created with Zena and accept the truth of who she really is and has always been, y daughter. I am and always have been a wonderful mother and it saddens me to see the degree you will go to live this lie the whole world sees. I have been in counseling for many years to undo the damage from living such a dysfunctional life as a child hich Connie seems to think would be appropriate for my little Zena. I would not wish that on any child yet it did give the will to stand up to such a crazy woman. We have new grandmothers and mothers in FOW who we can trust to really be there, and will ot turn their love or loyalty from what family really is. Leave us alone...

10/25/98 23:55:48

Name: Your real daughter, Kelly

My URL: Visit Me

Comments:

09/21/98 16:47:14

Name: babydoll	My URL: Visit Me
My Email: Email Me	How did you hear about us?: surf in
Did you come by link or find our address?: link

Comments:

09/13/98 17:57:09

Name: Michelle	My URL: Visit Me
My Email: Email Me	How did you hear about us?: I searched it
What organization(s) are you associated with?: none	Did you come by link or find our address?: found

Comments:
I belive that a child should be in a happy loving home.If she wasn't getting that with her real mom than yes they should get her.

09/08/98 15:18:52

Name: STORMIE JOHNSTON

My URL: Visit Me

Comments:
I HOPE THAT EVERYTHING WILL WORK OUT FOR AND THAT GOD WILL HELP YOU TO GET YOUR LITTEL GIRL BACK.

08/01/98 13:59:33

Name: invisible*girl	My URL: Visit Me
My Email: Email Me	How did you hear about us?: you
Did you come by link or find our address?: given the address

Comments:
hmmmm, well after you told me not to sign your guest book I thought I would anyway coz I found where the little symbol was with "sign." Anyway great site. Later

07/11/98 14:09:28

Name: Teresa Miller

My URL: Visit Me

My Email: Email Me

Comments:

02/28/98 22:29:50

Name: Steinunn Bjork	My URL: Visit Me
My Email: Email Me	How did you hear about us?: through you

Comments:
I will aldrei aldrei stop praying for you, Michael and wee Zena. Love, Steinunn.

02/19/98 01:27:12

Name: Ralph	My URL: Visit Me
How did you hear about us?: Eyewitness	Did you come by link or find our address?: Sterling friends

Comments:
What happened to the other 24 pages of the report by Dr. Thomas? What about the thousands of dollars you spent fighting your own daughter for her own child yet would not help her as the mother that you are, or what your distorted view of a mother is real y. Remember that everything, everything, EVERYTHING is about you and you in relationship. What legacy of relationships are you leaving-really? Sounds more like a trail of reckage that your daughter is commited to changing for the better of herself and er two daughters!

02/11/98 16:20:57

Name: Stephanie Sharer	My URL: Visit Me
My Email: Email Me	How did you hear about us?: you signed my guestbook
Did you come by link or find our address?: link

Comments:
nice page

01/24/98 15:29:31

Name: Monica	My URL: Visit Me
My Email: Email Me	How did you hear about us?: on IRC
What organization(s) are you associated with?: Sisna	Did you come by link or find our address?: Link

Comments:

12/04/97 18:43:43

Name: christina remmes	My URL: Visit Me
My Email: Email Me	How did you hear about us?: DJDowd told me
What organization(s) are you associated with?: none	Did you come by link or find our address?: i was given it

Comments:
I'm really sorry to hear all of this. Good luck in all you do

11/20/97 22:32:03

Name: Nikki	My URL: Visit Me
My Email: Email Me	How did you hear about us?: unsolved mysteries

Comments:
I love Unsolved Mysteries. I watch it all of the time...I would like to ask if I could help you all in any way shape or form. I myself have a son and I would never in my wildest dreams want something to happen to him...If there is anything I could do fo your show based in Frederick, Maryland please let me know.
Nikki Hilderbrand

10/24/97 00:24:55

Name: Beverly George	My URL: Visit Me
My Email: Email Me	How did you hear about us?: friend
What organization(s) are you associated with?: Cerj, Tx Cure, Assoc.mental illness, appmi, support coalition, capacity for justice, osepp	Did you come by link or find our address?: found

Comments:
I am also dealing with the injustice in Texas and reading the Hanes story am not shocked but saddened for them and especially their son and Zenith. Texas blatantly disregards the human rights of it's citizens so why not the children?
My last visit to Austin to testify in behalf of the mentally ill in prison I had an image of the legislators as all being Wyatt Earp, guns, hats, and all. It wasn't comical. It is the way they represent themselves. The injustice done to the Hanes is not isolated. It is prominent throughout the state. So much so that I recently testified to the United Nations who have refered to Texas justice as "torture".

Beverly George
Texas State Coordinator for CERJ
Campaign for Equity-Restorative Justice
Board Member of Texas C.U.R.E.
Founder of APPMI-Advocacy & Protection for Prisoner with Mental Illness
Member of Association of Mental Illness
Co-founder of OSEPP

09/18/97 06:14:27

Name: Karen Butler	My URL: Visit Me
My Email: Email Me	What organization(s) are you associated with?: none
Did you come by link or find our address?: link

Comments:
My heart goes out to Zenith. I pray that those involved in the decisions that will determine this little ones future are guided and directed by an open mind and a prayer in their heart. I found Bishop Peterson's letter very encouraging.

09/18/97 01:18:11

Name: Bill Fetzner	My URL: Visit Me
My Email: Email Me	How did you hear about us?: You guys
What organization(s) are you associated with?: NOT grands-rights

Comments:
Haven't had time to digest any of it yet, but I'll give it a try. Best wishes - bill

09/16/97 11:05:35

Name: Sarah Picklesimer Wilson	My URL: Visit Me
My Email: Email Me	How did you hear about us?: grandparent's ring
What organization(s) are you associated with?: several	Did you come by link or find our address?: web ring

Comments:
My prayers are still in thought of you. God Bless, Sarah

08/25/97 22:38:24 GMT

Name: Sarah Picklesimer Wilson	My URL: Visit Me
My Email: Email Me	How did you hear about us?: Grandparent's Link
What organization(s) are you associated with?: none	Did you come by link or find our address?: link

Comments:
It is a tradgic situation you have been involved in, and I can sympathize, as I took custody of my grandson when he was two weeks old, and finally ended up giving him to my daughter so she would quit harrassing us so, and the court system believed until p oved different he was hers. I will pray for you. Live in Certainty, Sarah Picklesimer Wilson

08/22/97 05:28:36 GMT

Name: Concerned for Families	My URL: Visit Me
How did you hear about us?: Other concerned individuals	What organization(s) are you associated with?: none
Did you come by link or find our address?: concerned families

Comments:
I know that there are individual circumstances in each case that makes them unique, and it is not possible for us to 'judge' these situations, unless we were there, in court, etc. However, it seems to me, that if these grandparents-who say they've adopted this child, have nothing to hide, are worthy of raising the child, why are they running? The whole circumstance of kidnapping is very scary. I don't see why other psychologists, therapists, etc. weren't consulted if the answer they received from the one wasn't accurate...I personally wouldn't stop there and just accept what was said if it ind ed were not true regarding my children. We all need to remember to be objective when reading these websites. Anyone can get on here and post a website, message, etc. Who knows what the real facts are, unless the documents are in front of us, or we are dir ctly involved.

07/08/97 16:00:41 GMT

Name: ADOPTN	My URL: Visit Me
My Email: Email Me	How did you hear about us?: Webring
What organization(s) are you associated with?: none	Did you come by link or find our address?: webring

Comments:
How sad, for your whole family. What have you learned? What would you have done differently? These answers could help others who are in similiar circumstances.

07/02/97 15:10:08 GMT

Name: Sara M. Starkey	My URL: Visit Me
My Email: Email Me	How did you hear about us?: Grandsrus
What organization(s) are you associated with?: Grandparents-US/TX	Did you come by link or find our address?: other

Comments:
For all the supporters that have come, sometimes there are those with a different perspective. Every case has unique qualities, and without actually living the case, one cannot judge the parties to it. My personal support for the Hanes' has come over a long period of time. I do not know what I would have done in their circumstance, but I do know that there have been injustices for them, and all, in this case. You cannot put a guestbook up without realizing that anyone can sign it. And, I guess, if a hostile individual considers themselves a 'guest' at your site, then they can use that avenue as a platform for their opinions. It is one thing to write an expression of opposite perspective - it is quite another to be rude, publically. I support the proper application of consideration for this family. Seems to me that everyone should. Sara M. Starkey Grandparents-US/TX

06/30/97 06:58:31 GMT

Name: Concerned Mom	My URL: Visit Me
My Email: Email Me	How did you hear about us?: Many other concerned parents

Comments:
You are a parent's worst nightmare. Although you insist that you wanted your daughter to have a mother daughter relationship, you thwart every effort for this mother to bond with her daughter and instead you kidnap this child and remove her from the country. Your "adoption" was never finalized. You had no right to take this girl from her mother. I can see that you have no real grasp for what is appropriate conduct in a family relationship. Perhaps your ex-convict husband has influenced you and turned you against your own daughter. For whatever reasons you may have, your "story" is full of holes and holds no water. I hope that Kelly can overcome the heartache you have caused to her and her children. You are a disgrace to grandparents everywhere. You should hang you head in shame.