Relatives have guardianship of woman's baby

Tuesday, November 23rd 1999, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

CLAREMORE, Okla. (AP) -- A woman whose pregnancy became the issue of a court decision to grant the state Department of Human Services custody of her fetus has given birth to a baby boy. The infant, now a few weeks old, lives with his mother and her aunt and uncle, who are the baby's guardians.

Julie Starks said Monday that her son remains in state custody and she has constant supervision when she is with her son, as well as frequent visits from DHS. "Whatever I have to do to keep my child, I'll do," she said. A judge had granted Assistant District Attorney Jim Ely's request in August that the fetus be ruled a deprived child because of unsafe living conditions and the mother's alleged drug use.

At the end of a preliminary hearing Monday, Ms. Starks, JimmyRavon Cook Jr. and Eric Phalon Sample were ordered to stand trial on charges of attempting to manufacture methamphetamine, unlawful possession of a controlled drug and unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia. The three were arrested Aug. 23 at a Catoosa residence where Ms.Starks had been living with Cook. Deputies discovered materials they said were used in making methamphetamine.

Ms. Starks said the deprived child ruling is being appealed. Ms. Starks said a doctor testified in her recent deprived child hearing that there were no signs indicating she had ever injected methamphetamine. She said her son tested negative for drugs at birth. She said her milk is tested frequently for signs of drugs, as well as for its nutritional level