Bail Bonds and Steady Improvements

Back in Long Beach. Been back for several days, actually, and the world deserves an update.

Mom headed back home again today. What was originally thought to have been a few days back in the hospital has ended up stretching into nearly two weeks. Not that I'm complaining, mind, Mom made it clear that she wasn't going to budge until she felt ready and her infections were under control. Which, I'm told, they are.

Since I've no idea whatsoever about what's inappropriate to post about the criminal and civil cases against Bill, to hell with it, I'll just spill some of what I know and delete it if I get any finger wagging from Dennis or anyone else in the legal community.

So...

Lots of sneaky shennanigans on the part of Bill's legal team. From the beginning, we've been offered to strike deals to get Mom's bills paid and a greater cash award/settlement at the end of all this in exchange for allowing a reduction in Bill's bond. It's been $2 million all along, 50% of which Bill needs to round up to bail himself out. He's been asking for a decrease to 10% all along, which... well... needless to say, we're doing everything in our power to keep the old guy in the hoosegow.

Recently, the same day Bill was served with papers that demonstrated his assets being frozen, he managed to move a couple hundred thousand dollars out of his mutual funds and into an "undisclosed location." We were livid. It was obviously for bail and attorney fees... and, while it might not have been enough for bail, it was certainly enough to pay a bail bondsman. So, quick-fast, my sisters and I scrambled to repair the situation. We discovered from Mom's divorce attorney that Bill may well be in contempt, so Dennis had those funds diverted into an Escrow account that couldn't be touched by Bill or anyone. Meanwhile, I called the prosecutors office with the situation. They immediately made a motion to have his bail increased.

So, good news there.

A pre-trial happened this morning and apparently a couple of ass clowns from Bill's church stood up to testify as to why Bill's not such a bad guy. After all, he's been a regular contributor to church and the community, not to mention an active participant in international missions. He's, you know, a generally nice fellow, so the judge might want to consider leniency.

When the prosecutor was asked if he had anything to add, he asked, "so... Bill's involved in international missions? Should we take that to mean that he's kept up to date with a valid passport?"

"Uh. Well. Yes, probably."

"Okay. Nothing futher, Your Honor."

And just like that, the judge decided to increase the bail. Bill now has to round up 100% of the $2 million.

Pretty damn cool.

And speaking of trials, a date has been set for the Criminal trial... as in, the real deal. As in a jury and everything. It's September 20th, which is much quicker than any of us anticipated. The wheels of Justice grind slow, but apparently not too slow.

So, the 20th's the big day. I'm a bit worried for Mom, because she'll have to meet him face to face for the first time since the attack. We've every indication that the judge is sympathetic to her plight and will deal fairly, but it'll still be hugely intimidating.

Also, it may be Mom's first public appearance, new mask and all. I'm sure she'll do fine, but it's an awful lot for one person to contend with.

So, we're still chugging along. A lot has been happening outside of the whole acid attack debacle, but it simply hasn't been on my mind, so I've neglected to post. I'm sure you can understand.

Again with the hospital

Bit of a setback on Saturday... Mom developed a nasty infection on some of her donor sites (the spots that they took skin from to do the grafts). So, with a 101.4 degree fever, it was decided that she needed to head back into the hospital for at least a few days. She'll be on I.V. antibiotics for awhile, until the infection clears up. The burn/graft stuff is painful enough, but it's multiplied with an infection.

Oh, and I suppose I forgot to mention that I've been in Ohio for the past two weeks to help Mom out. I'm leaving for Long Beach this Saturday and, to be honest, I'd no idea that the time would have gone by this quickly.

Yesterday, Carey flew into town, which was an enormous relief. It's easily the longest I've gone without seeing her since our dating days. Our dear friends, Gary and Jennie Underwood, organized a get-together for us that included Jeff Rockwood, an old high-school buddy, and terrific friends that journeyed up from Columbus, just for us: Tom & Christie Burns and Dave & Johanna Matheny. Everyone brought their babies and/or swelling wombs to join in the festivities.

And, boy, did we ever need it.

Anyhow, after a rough Saturday, Mom's improving a great deal and hopefully she'll be able to head home again soon. It's our opinion that she was released too darn early and we want to make sure that that doesn't happen again.

As ever, thanks for the prayers and encouragement.

Mom: Update

First, very very sincere apologies to those who've been faithfully checking this page for updates on Mom. If you're reading this, there's a very good chance that I owe you an email reply. I'm really sorry, but recent weeks have chugged by at a breakneck pace and keeping everyone informed has been far too low on the priority scale.

There's a lot of information to cover, so instead of going into nose-bleed detail, here's the basic skinny, quick-hit style. Again, apologies:

• As of now, all five of Mom's surgeries were a success. She's received grafts on her legs, arms, hands, torso and head. It's very difficult, not to mention horribly painful, to graft large areas and, since Mom has no identical twin, all of the skin donor sites had to come from unburned sections of her own body. Fortunately, the percentage of grafts that have "taken" is in the high 90s, which is outrageously good.
   
  
  
• She's home. On Tuesday, after exactly one month, she was released from the hospital and is currently staying with my sister, Erin. It's where she'll be for the forseable future.
   
  
  
• For obvious reasons, she's losing the "Slabaugh" and going back to her maiden name, Spellman.
   
  
  
• Bill has been officially indicted on charges of kidnapping, felonious assault and domestic violence. As of this writing he's been unable to raise the required 50% of his $2 million bail, so it's looking as if he's probably going to remain in jail throughout the trial process.
   
  
  
• Several folks have inquired about Mom's Benevolent Fund. It's through First Merit Bank and it's called the Becky Slabaugh Benevlolence Fund. Anyone wishing to contribute need only contact First Merit and name the fund and that's it. If you're considering making a contribution, thanks in advance.
   
  
  
• A national news program is interested in Mom's story. At the moment, Mom remains undecided, but she's weighing her options. Any inquiries should be directed to our attorney, Dennis O'Toole.
   
  
  
• Some time next week, Mom will make a trip down to Germantown, Ohio to have her face scanned for a burn mask by a company called Total Contact. It's a custom-manufactured mask made to fit her face to control scarring. She'll be wearing the mask approx. 23 hours a day for about a year.
   
  
  
• Though I've pleaded with her to take it slow, Mom looks forward to begin working part-time from home (doing admissions and other administrative duties at the Heather Knoll retirement community) in the near future. She promises not to push herself too hard and it may be some time before she's able to get back in the swing full-time and on-site.
   
  
  
• Not sure when the trials will be, but it's definite that the criminal trial will be first, followed by the civil trial.
   
  
  
• Mom has deeply appreciated the unprecedented avalanche of cards, flowers, letters, visits, donations, prayers and encouragement she's received over the course of the past month. Each has been important and precious to her and has significantly aided her recovery and lifted her spirits. Thanks seems inadequate, but thanks.
   
  
  
• While she does appreciate visits, our family would like to humbly request you call before popping in. Our main concern is that Mom gets the rest and care she needs right now, so if it isn't a good time, please don't be offended.
   
  
  
• For the record, no one has gone above and beyond the call of duty more than my sisters, Erin and Lauren, and their spouses. I could list off so many people that have been instrumental in recent days in helping out my mother (and I might try eventually), but my sibs are tops. From spending long hours and late nights in the hospital, to making phone calls, paying bills, appearing at hearings and pre-trials, putting Mom's house up for sale and taking care of every little ridiculous thing that no one else could ever hope to remember... these incredible women have left me astonished.

In general, I won't lie, it's a difficult road ahead and much of Mom's progress is two-steps-forward, one-step-back. Not every day is better than the one before it, but, man, it's really inspiring to behold my mother's resolve and determination. And, somehow, she's managed to hang onto her sense of humor throughout.

Well, whatever, I've neglected to mention an awful lot and I'm going to try to be a bit more faithful with updates and replies. Thanks for your patience.