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CNN Live At Daybreak

Convicted Mother Files for Overnight Custody of Child

Aired August 20, 2001 - 08:31   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: A Nebraska woman is fighting for overnight visitation rights. Her ex-husband refuses to let their 6- year-old son stay with her. But this story isn't your common custody battle.

As Carol Kloss of CNN affiliate KETV reports, the mother is in prison.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

CAROL KLOSS, KETV-REPORTER (voice-over): Little league baseball is a welcome diversion for Bruce Faust and his boys, 11-year-old Daulton (ph)...

BRUCE FAUST, FATHER: That was high.

KLOSS: And 6-year-old Jarrod (ph). They've been through a lot in the past year.

FAUST: They do pretty good. I think they are doing great.

KLOSS: Last November, Jarrod (ph) and Daulton's mother, Kim Faust, went to prison for first-degree murder. She killed Shannon Bluhm, the woman Bruce Faust was dating, The Fausts were separated at the time.

Then Kim Faust killed Robert Parminter, a passerby who tried to help Bluhm.

(on camera): Some of the victim's family members pushed for Kim Faust to get the death penalty, but earlier this year she was sentenced to life here at the Nebraska Correctional Center for Women in York. At the time, Bruce Faust expected that Kim would get periodic daytime visits with the boys, but he never expected that she would be allowed overnight visits with their younger son, Jarrod (ph).

FAUST: Yes. I don't trust her to keep him overnight by herself, and I don't know the conditions, if she's guarded or what.

KLOSS: I mean, you think she may even be capable of harming the children just to spite you?

FAUST: Look how far she went already. KLOSS (voice-over): As part as his divorce settlement with Kim, Bruce Faust is under court-order to allow the boys to visit their mother every other weekend in prison. Both boys have made several visits during the day, but Bruce refuses to let six-year-old Jerrold spend the night, so Kim's lawyer filed a contempt order against him. Nonetheless, this father is determined to keep his young son from staying overnight in prison with his mom.

Correctional officials say the program's record is spotless. In its 26-year history there has never been an incident of an inmate harming a child.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: If there was I guarantee you that this program would be shut down.

KLOSS: These inmates say they saw Kim Faust with her six-year- old son when he came to spend the night. They witnessed a loving mother, and a young boy torn apart when his father refused to let him stay.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: That little boy did not want to leave. He still loves his mother. And that shouldn't be taken from him. That little boy didn't want to come out of that room back there.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: He wanted his mommy. He didn't want to go home. He needed his mom. He needed the security to know that his mother still loved him.

KLOSS: As for Kim Faust herself, she declined to be interviewed for this report. Until a court rules otherwise, her lawyer feels Faust is entitled to overnight visits with her son.

FAUST: The visit, I guess I'm getting more used to for a couple hours. But staying overnight, that is just -- would you want your six-year-old there?

KLOSS: The prison won't force a child to stay against his guardian's wishes, but in the end it may be up to a court to decide what's in the best interest of the child.

FAUST: I don't trust her. I can't do it.

KLOSS: And what if they find you in contempt?

FAUST: That's another battle.

KLOSS: With more complete coverage, Carol Kloss, KETV-News Watch 7.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

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