The battle over the fate of the internet twins bcame a four-way fight yesterday after the babies' real father was granted custody by a judge in their home town, St Louis, Missouri.
Circuit judge Jack Garvey granted the custody order, effective until the court's next hearing on February 14, to Aaron Wecker, father of the girls and former husband of Tranda Wecker, who "sold" them twice over the internet.
Mr Wecker, who has custody of the couple's three-year-old child, joins the battle against his ex-wife, who says she wants them back, and with the two couples who paid a California-based agency to adopt them.
Kimberley and Belinda, were first given to a California couple, Richard and Vickie Allen of San Bernardino, then handed over to Alan and Judith Kilshaw, by Ms Wecker after they agreed to pay more.
Court papers filed by Mr Wecker last Monday allege that Ms Wecker neglected the twins by trying to sell them twice, according to the St Louis Post-Dispatch. He also accused her of "failing to report to me on the whereabouts of the children for weeks at a time, subjecting the twins to illegal activities and underhanded doings." The pair divorced before the twins were born last June.
The order in favour of Mr Wecker has no immediate effect because the twins remain in foster care after being taken from the Kilshaws by Flintshire social services. The Kilshaws adopted the twins in Arkansas, although the adoption may be invalid because Ms Wecker has admitting lying to get around the state's residence requirements.
The twist is another complication for Mr Justice Kirkwood, the high court judge who took over the case last Tuesday. He has promised a decision soon on the twins' future.
Allan Levy QC, a child law expert, said the real father might emerge as the right person to give them a home. "If he's the natural father and he's OK, the sooner they go there the better."
Ms Wecker said on Tuesday that she wanted the babies back. "I have a job. I have family and friends that will help me take care of my children," she said. "I miss my girls very much."
Audio report
23.01.2001: Helen Carter at the high court
Related articles
24.01.2001: 'Internet twins' to stay in care
24.01.2001: Judgment Days: Joanna Moorhead on perfect parents
24.01.2001: Where did the parents go wrong?
Useful link
St Louis Post-Dispatch report on custody case
