Attorney for mother of 12-year-old criticizes state agency

DALLAS (AP) _ An attorney for the mother of a 12-year-old girl who disappeared with her stepfather for nearly two weeks sharply criticized Texas's Child Protective Services agency for taking custody

Saturday, September 18th 2004, 12:52 pm

By: News On 6

DALLAS (AP) _ An attorney for the mother of a 12-year-old girl who disappeared with her stepfather for nearly two weeks sharply criticized Texas's Child Protective Services agency for taking custody of her.

The girl was found safe at an Oklahoma City motel on Wednesday after her stepfather, James Roy Hudachek, apparently shot himself in the head. He died later that day, his 29th birthday.

CPS caseworkers contend that Angela Hudachek, the girl's mother, knew that her husband had sexually abused the girl for years but did nothing to prevent it. They also took custody of the girl's twin 9-year-old brothers this week, saying they, too, were in danger.

According to court records, the girl said she had been having intercourse with James Roy Hudachek for about a year and they had been planning their trip since June. She said she left with him on Sept. 3 because she loved him and thought they ``would be together forever,'' The Dallas Morning News and the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reported Saturday.

Charles Rich, Angela Hudachek's attorney, said Friday that the stepfather's death effectively ended any threat to the children. Not returning the children to their mother is an ``absolute travesty,'' he said.