How sad this is when a family's dirty laundry is aired in the local newspaper. When reading the first article on it I found it sad that this would qualify as news. While I am glad that Angel is learning new respect for law enforcement, I find it is sad that her grandfather and local police thought it necessary for it to be public knowlege. If that wasn't bad enough, the Traveler allows the mother to make her thoughts known and the only one this will hurt is Angel.
Shame on you grandpa for saying bad things about Angels mother publicly to the newspaper. Shame on you for subjecting Angel to this public-personal drama. And shame on you officer Huntly for giving an opinion on what kind of life this guy can give Angel, you don't know him. Not like those who live around him do. Time will tell. Save the personal drama for your friends and family grandpa. Not for every one in town. Poor little Angel.
Mother disputes statements
By DAVID A. SEATON Traveler Staff Writer The mother of a girl featured in Saturday's Traveler disputed statements made by the girl's grandfather.The article told the story of Angel Tyler, 11, who has been befriended by Arkansas City police officers and participated in D.A.R.E activities at the request of her grandfather, Kenny Tyler.In the story, Tyler said he gained custody of Angel because her mother struggled with addiction problems. He said that Angel had a fear of police and he wanted to help her overcome that.The mother, who lives in Wichita, told the Traveler Monday that she has never had a drug or alcohol problem, but she does suffer from bi-polar and anxiety problems. Christina Marie Stephens also said she did not give custody of Angel to Tyler, as Tyler said. In the article, he stated that she signed over her rights to Angel for $50 and a car.Tyler's attorney, Jason Brewer, said that Tyler does not have custody but does have guardianship of Angel, which gives him decision-making powers of a parent, such as where a child goes to school and medical decisions."She didn't give up anything," Brewer said Tuesday. "She can always petition the court to revoke" the guardianship.Brewer did say that Tyler could deny Stephens visitation of Angel if Tyler felt it was in her best interests. Stephens said she sent Angel to live in Arkansas City with Tyler because Angel was having a hard time. Stephens said she, too, was struggling with life after separating from her husband and losing income.Kenny Tyler is Stephens' adopted father. Stephens has four children, she said, and she thought Angel might do better in a different environment. She only meant for Angel to stay in Ark City for the school year, she said.Stephens said that she was shocked and hurt to learn, in the article, that Tyler said he had custody of Angel. Court documents show that Stephens signed a notarized document granting Tyler guardianship over Angel. The document also states that Stephens was waiving her right to have notice of further court proceedings. Judge James Pringle granted guardianship to Tyler March 26, court records indicate.Stephens said Tyler did give her a car so she could find work, but it was not related to Angel's situation Tyler claims that is false."She called and said, 'Dad, I'll let you have Angel, but you gotta help me out, I don't have a car or anything,'" Tyler said. "Everything in (the article) is the God's gospel truth, and I can and I will back it all up."Robert Hoover, Stephens' stepfather, said he is helping Stephens hire an attorney to try to get Angel back. Hoover also said he has not known Stephens to have any problems with drugs or alcohol. The article also mentioned that Angel recalled her mother being arrested before Thanksgiving. Stephens said that the arrest was not related to drugs but an unjustified charge of writing bogus checks in Oklahoma. She claims that Tyler closed a joint checking account without telling her, which led to the bad check arrest in Payne County. Tyler says that she broke into his house and stole the checks. The case was dismissed in July of 2006, Oklahoma court records show. A bench warrant for her arrest for nonpayment was issued Nov. 1 of 2006. Some payments were received Jan. 3 and Jan. 8, records show.Stephens said Monday that all restitution and court costs have been paid. Arkansas City D.A.R.E. Officer Dan Huntley said that he believes Tyler is a good role model and father figure for Angel. He said that he has not noticed anything peculiar about his behavior. From what he's seen, Tyler is good for Angel.
