Morning in court

Here's what we know:

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Not knowing AJ's paternity is an issue (no surprise). The court will compel Peggy to reveal his identity or provide a list of possibilities at another juvenile court pretrial on March 27.

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Child Protective Services has opted to let the criminal charges play themselves out before they go forward with terminating her parental rights.

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Peggy has to deal with two courts: juvenile court at which CPS presents their evidence, makes recommendations as to the children's "best interest," and can request termination of parental rights; and criminal court at which she has to respond to the felony child abuse allegations and can end up in jail.

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She has her criminal pretrial hearing on Feb 24. She is facing two counts of felony child abuse: 1st degree (...if the person knowingly or intentionally causes serious physical or serious mental harm to a child,...punishable by imprisonment for not more than 15 years), and 2nd degree (...omission or reckless act causing serious physical harm, knowingly or unintentionally commit an act likely to cause serious harm regardless of whether harm results, or knowingly or intentionally commit an act that is cruel regardless of whether harm results; punishable by no less than 4 years). Our attorney friend has graciously offered to observe that trial also.

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Peggy didn't show at the trial this morning because she was "in custody" at the criminal court.

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The guardian ad litem (GAL) said AJ's doing well, is gaining weight, is wearing a foot brace, and that he recommends a psychological evaluation for Peggy.