By AP
Benton, IL – A southern Illinois judge says the hiding of a boy for nearly two years in his grandmother's home during a custody dispute amounts to neglect.
Franklin County circuit judge Melissa Drew made the ruling Friday after siding with a counselor's belief that the seclusion of the boy, now 7, left him with post-traumatic stress disorder.
Drew now could decide January 8th what custody or visitation arrangements should apply to the boy who's now in the temporary custody of a relative.
His mother, Shannon Wilfong, is charged with felony abduction and has pleaded not guilty. She declined to testify Friday in the custody matter.
The boy's father, Michael Chekevdia, is seeking custody of the child.
