Posted on: Saturday, February 5, 2005
Child welfare probe complete
By Eloise Aguiar
Advertiser Windward O'ahu Writer
KAHALU'U — Three young children removed from their home during an investigation of animal cruelty remain in foster care, and state officials say their investigation into the children's welfare is complete, but confidential.
James Montgomery, the children's father, was charged this week with 55 counts of failure to provide necessary sustenance, a misdemeanor offense, after 64 dogs were removed from his home in Kahalu'u on Saturday. He had been operating a dog-breeding business.
The Humane Society had been working with the family for two weeks to improve living conditions for the animals and was rechecking the premises Tuesday when an accompanying police officer made a judgment call that conditions were endangering the children's welfare.
Yesterday, a spokesman at the state Department of Human Services would not say what steps the agency will take concerning the children, citing privacy laws.
"Our investigation is completed and the kids are still in foster custody," Derick Dahilig said.
The department had 72 hours to complete its investigation, Dahilig said. Once that was done, it could come to several alternative conclusions, including returning the children to their home, petitioning the court to keep them in foster care, and sending them home with the offer of services, he said.
The family's attorney, Melodie Aduja, said she is optimistic about the outcome after meeting with human-services representatives Thursday and expects a positive outcome.
"Based on what had transpired yesterday, I feel it was a good meeting and we're very hopeful that the children will be returned to the family," Aduja said.
Montgomery said the events have been difficult for the family and referred questions to Aduja.
"We're trying to do the best we can," Montgomery said at his home yesterday. "It's been stressful."
About two dozen volunteers from The Salvation Army and Possibility Place Christian Fellowship and Ministry worked Thursday to clean up the property and the house, removing a truckload of debris, Aduja said. More volunteers are expected over the weekend to continue the cleanup.
Meanwhile, there was no update from the Hawaiian Humane Society concerning the 64 dogs removed from the home on Mahakea Road. A report is expected to be completed in about two weeks, and that file would then be forwarded to the city prosecutor's office.
The Hawaiian Humane Society said living conditions for the animals on Montgomery's property, a single acre of land, included inadequate access to water and shelter.
Reach Eloise Aguiar at eaguiar@honoluluadvertiser.com or 234-5266.
