September 23, 2009, 4:33PM
FLINT, Michigan — Kelly Arthurs’ parental rights have been terminated for her surviving twin daughter, Kasey Caswell, in an order signed Monday in Genesee County Family Court.
Arthurs, 42, is in prison for 10 to 15 years for second-degree murder in the death of 8-year-old Kelsey Caswell, who was killed in a March 10, 2008 car crash. In the crash, which also seriously injured Kasey, police found Arthurs had been drinking and had used cocaine and marijuana before the crash.
Kelsey“I think it’s in the best interest of Kasey, but I’m saddened that Kelly put herself in that situation,” said the girl’s paternal grandmother Mary Benham of Fenton.
She said this decision will allow her granddaughter to move on.
“We just felt that she was an unfit parent and the surviving child’s well-being and welfare were in great jeopardy,” said John Potbury, spokesperson for Prosecutor David Leyton. The Genesee County Prosecutor’s office represented the Michigan Department of Human Services in its petition to terminate Arthur’s parental rights.
According to
Flint Journal files, the twins’ father, Roger Caswell, testified during the hearing to Arthurs’ drug problem. He said she was in and out of treatment, but shortly before the crash her drug habit increased.
Read more at http://www.mlive.com/news/flint/index.ssf/2009/09/kelly_arthurss_parental_rights.html
