SAN DIEGO (KGTV) – Visitation rights were granted Wednesday to Maya Millete’s sister, who had sought to gain custody of the missing Chula Vista woman’s three children.
During a hearing in a San Diego courtroom, a judge ruled that Maricris Drouaillet and other family members are allowed to visit the children of Larry and Maya Millete.
Under the judge’s decision, Larry’s parents are to facilitate visitation with the children beginning Sunday, Nov. 14, and every Sunday thereafter, from 12 p.m.-5 p.m.
Additionally, therapy sessions have been ordered for the three children.
Drouaillet’s attorney, Scott Finkbeiner, argued for guardianship to be given to his client, saying that the fact that the children have not had therapy given the trauma they’ve endured amounted to emotional abuse and neglect.
Ultimately, the judge said she did not see enough evidence to remove the children from the home they’ve been in since they were born.
ABC 10News learned a temporary court-appointed guardian has begun assessments on how the children are doing. The guardian was granted access by the judge to all documents and video from an ongoing Child Protective Services investigation.
So far, the guardian has interviewed two of the three children; the guardian said the kids are doing well, but the guardian wants to see how the next couple of months go with visitation and therapy.
In mid-January, the judge will hear the next round of arguments for guardianship of the children.
The attorney for Larry Millete’s parents said they would also seek guardianship of the three children.
The three Millete children have been staying at the family’s home with Larry’s parents since his arrest on Oct. 19. Larry Millete is accused in the death of his wife Maya; he pleaded not guilty to a murder charge.
Last week, Drouaillet filed paperwork for guardianship of her two nieces and one nephew. She stated in the filing, “I am committed to providing them with a loving and stable home and will facilitate obtaining the psychological help that’s needed to process the loss of their mother and now most likely their father, should he be convicted of their mother’s murder.”
Drouaillet also said the filing that she believed there was a lack of supervision for the children and expressed other welfare concerns.
In the documents, Drouaillet said that there have been attempts to communicate with the kids, but Larry has refused to allow for any visits and only allowed them to have one call since Jan. 7.
