State Needs Custody Laws Revamped - See Julye Cassie Fugate

When the two Hartline children were killed while in the custody of a Franklin County foster home, many were quick to defend DHR as having little control over severing parental rights. The law in Alabama is on the side of any biological parent who is breathing and has an attorney. If you think the attorney part is hard, remember that most of these so-called parents have a court appointed lawyer due to their criminal cases, a lawyer who may be coaxed into helping file other standard motions to hold off on permanent seizure of the client's children. 

That brings us to Julye Cassie Fugate, allegedly found wandering from home at least five times in the past two years. The Colbert County girl was four years old on January 7th. According to records, her parents have been the object of DHR investigations in both Colbert and Franklin Counties. Last year, Julye's mother Ashley Mayfield was arrested for child abuse/torture in Franklin County. She apparently received probation.

Julye isn't the only child of Mayfield and her long term boyfriend Eric Scott Fugate. Julye has both an older and a younger brother. Until this week, all three children have remained in the home of Ashley and Eric and extended family. All that has been officially stated is that the three siblings are now in custody of DHR.

Under current law, and considering plea bargains, just how long do you think it will be until these three little ones are back with their parents outside Littleville? If anyone thinks that's in the best interest of these children, please e-mail us your rationale and we'll publish it.

We feel it's in the worst interest of Julye and her brothers to be returned to their parents...ever. Children need a real home, not foster parents. Is there one legislator out there who will introduce a law to overhaul current regulations for severing custody rights?