Community Corner
Mother Doesn't Want Her Sons with a Killer
Trish Conlon lost her custody battle to keep her sons away from stepmom Kristine Cushing, formerly of Laguna Niguel, who was declared insane when she killed her daughters in 1991.
As parents, we have a strong instinct to protect our children.
For one mother, this desire has led to a painful situation. Trish Conlon went to court to permanently change the custody agreement she had with her ex-husband when she learned he was married to and living with his first wife who shot and killed their daughters.
Once residents of Laguna Niguel, Lt. Col. John P. Cushing Jr. and Kristine Cushing had two daughters, ages 4 and 8. Kristine had been a Brownie leader and Sunday school teacher. She began taking Prozac while dealing with a heart condition.
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Kristine shot and killed her two daughters as they slept back in 1991. She pleaded temporary insanity due to the Prozac she was taking. Both the prosecuting and defense attorneys agreed.
She was found not guilty by reason of insanity and spent four years in a mental facility. She had 10 years of psychiatric monitoring and was released when it had been determined that she no longer posed a risk.
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Conlon and John Cushing had been sharing custody of their two boys, ages 14 and 13, from their marriage. Conlon learned John Cushing had since remarried his ex-wife Kristine. Fearing for the safety of her own boys, Conlon went to court to fight for full custody.
John Cushing had lied about his relationship with ex-wife Kristine and also had his sons lie to their mother about the fact that Kristine was indeed living with him.
Monday the court allowed John Cushing to continue the existing custody agreement he had with Conlon, citing that Kristine had already lived with the boys without any problems.
According Dana Rebik with q13fox.com, "The court has ordered John Cushing to ensure that there are no firearms in the home where the children stay."
The Moms Council lets readers know their opinions on the subject.
- Wendy Bucknum says: The fact that the truth was not told about who is living at the house with the kids should be a huge red flag. The courts and this father are doing a huge disservice to these kids, in my opinion.
- Julie Flores says: The fact the court thought enough to make the father remove any firearms from his home speaks to the level of doubt about the safety of the boys. She is either a threat or not a threat. The court ruled she is not, so why remove the firearms?
Look for Mom Talk every Wednesday at 1 p.m. for parenting topics, and get into the discussion.
