Edmondson Seeking Review of Liberian Girls Custody Decision

Staff and Wire Reports

OKLAHOMA CITY -- Attorney General Drew Edmondson and the Major County District Attorney want an emergency review of a decision granting custody of four Liberian-born girls to a couple who were convicted of abusing their sister.

Edmondson and prosecutor Hollis Thorp filed an emergency application Thursday seeking a stay and a review of District Judge Vinson Barefoot's decision.

Barefoot ruled the children would remain with Ardee and Penny Tyler, who were convicted of child abuse and given 10-year suspended prison terms.

Authorities said the Tylers tied the second-oldest child, a 13-year-old, to bedposts, forced her to sleep outside and denied her food for several days as punishment.

Their biological son, Ashton Tyler, sexually assaulted the same girl. Ashton was given two years in prison with eight years probation for sexual assault.

Edmondson said he's troubled by the decision to keep the other four girls in the custody of the Tylers.

"It was our feeling that that decision, contrary to the recommendation to the district attorney, potentially placed those children at risk and that that decision should be reviewed by another judge," Edmondson said.

Barefoot said he stands by his decision.

"They wouldn't be there if I didn't feel in my heart they weren't safe," Barefoot said.

Another judge will be assigned to review the case by next Friday. Edmonson said when it comes to children, the state shouldn't be taking risks.

"What we're operating on here is just an abundance of caution. It may turn out that the reviewing judge reaches the same conclusion as the original judge did in Major County, but with the risk of a child being abused apparently high, we thought it was very important to get a second court to look at that decision to make sure those children are not at risk," Edmondson said.

State Rep. Jeff Hickman, R-District 58, issued the following statement Friday in response to the Attorney General's request for a review of a child custody case involving placement of four Liberian sisters. The case is based in Hickman's House district.

"I strongly support the Attorney General's request for an emergency judicial review of this child custody case. The recommendation from DHS to place these children back in the home of convicted child abusers is hard to understand and the judge's decision concurring with this recommendation is beyond troubling. I share the Attorney General's and District Attorney's concern for the safety of these four children, and I have personally contacted DHS again about this case asking that they also review their continuing position on the custody of these children. I applaud the Attorney General for using his authority in our judicial system to seek a new, impartial jurist to quickly examine this case."

More on News9.com:
- Judge Criticized After Allowing Children to Stay With Parents Convicted of Child Abuse
- Family Pleads No Contest to Abusing Adopted Girl
- Community Fights for Liberian Girls after Alleged Abuse