Miriam Carey's sister denied custody of 14-month-old girl

Published: October 12, 2013 6:29 AM
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

STAMFORD, Conn. - A judge on Friday denied a child custody request filed by the sister of a local woman fatally shot by police after she tried to ram her car through a White House barrier with the child in the back seat.

The denial came a day after Valarie Carey filed the emergency application seeking temporary custody of the 14-month-old daughter of her late sister, Miriam Carey. The request sought to transfer custody of the girl from her father, Eric Frances, to Valerie Carey.

Carey's attorney said Stamford Superior Court Judge Jane Emons didn't offer a reason for the denial. Attorney Eric Sanders said the Carey family has seen the girl just once, in the presence of a state child welfare worker, since Miriam Carey was shot outside the U.S. Capitol on Oct. 3 following a high-speed police car chase.

Sanders said the girl's father has not been "cooperative." He said the matter wasn't settled despite Friday's ruling and the family intends to pursue it. He said it's unclear who has custody of the girl.

Attempts to reach Frances for comment Friday were unsuccessful.

Funeral services for Miriam Carey are being planned for next week in New York City.

http://www.newsday.com/news/region-state/miriam-carey-s-sister-denied-custody-of-14-month-old-girl-1.6243329