SILVERTON, Ore. – A Seattle judge has approved an investigation into the custody agreement for an Oregon mom who said she wants to keep her teenage sons away from a killer.
Tricia Conlon shares custody of her two boys, ages 13 and 14, with her ex-husband, Lt. Col. John P. Cushing Jr. The woman currently living with Tricia Conlon's ex-husband killed her own daughters 20 years ago.
Before they wed, Cushing was married to a woman named Kristine. Twenty years ago, Kristine Cushing shot and killed the couple's two daughters in their sleep. She was later found not guilty by reason of temporary insanity.
Now, John Cushing has reunited with Kristine and Conlon is terrified that her two boys are living in the same home with her.
Conlon has asked the court to change the custody agreement she shares with Cushing, Jr. But so far, her requests have been denied.
But on Tuesday, the case took a new twist when a Seattle judge granted a motion for review. He ordered that a court-appointed independent guardian investigate whether the children have been harmed in any way while living with the admitted child killer. He also asked that the guardian investigate how the boys were impacted by the mother's “media campaign” in the custody case.
More: Cushing vs Cushing court document
The review must be completed within 90 days. The boys will remain in their current custody schedule while the investigation is under way. However, the father was ordered to make sure no guns are in his house, and that Kristine is taking her required medications.
Background: Silverton mom asks judge to protect boys from killer
In court documents, the ex-husband said that his first wife’s sanity has been restored and she’s is enjoying life again.
“I’m not willing to risk my kids lives on speculation. When a person is capable, they're capable,” Conlon said, during an interview on NBC’s Today Show earlier in the month.
