Kingston closer to seeing children

Polygamist John Daniel Kingston is moving closer to getting to see some of his children who have been in foster care since last year.

Kingston has been under a "no contact" order regarding the 11 children he has with Heidi Mattingly following earlier juvenile court findings that the parents had abused children. There also is a no contact order keeping Kingston and Mattingly apart.

But 3rd District Juvenile Judge Elizabeth Lindsley recently returned eight of the children from foster care to Mattingly after she made progress in court-ordered programs. The couple last month voluntarily relinquished parental rights to two teenage girls who had asked to be adopted, and an infant has always remained with Mattingly.

Lindsley on Tuesday permitted Kingston to work with one of his sons in a family-owned business, but they cannot associate together outside work. The 16-year-old boy, who has graduated from high school and has been accepted at Salt Lake Community College, repeatedly said he wants to be able to see his father again, according to lawyers in the case.

The judge also said Kingston could have supervised visits with the other children once he has taken part in a domestic violence prevention program for three weeks. However, Lindsley declined to permit Kingston to baptize an 8-year-old daughter until the domestic violence efforts are under way.

Kingston's attorney, Daniel Irvin, provided the judge with a letter and a certificate indicating Kingston has completed an anger management course and a parenting class, but Guardian ad Litem Kristen Brewer said the state needed to verify that these were programs sanctioned by the court.

Brewer also objected to efforts by Mattingly's attorney, Gary Bell, to lift the no-contact order with the younger children and with Mattingly.

"There were findings of serious abuse by the court," Brewer said, urging that Kingston undergo the domestic violence program "at a minimum" before any changes are made. "Mr. Kingston is a danger to his children," she said.

Lindsley wants domestic violence counseling, both one-on-one and in a group setting, for Kingston.

Kingston later said he was pleased to be able to work with his 16-year-old son and said the type of work his son does will depend on what he is interested in.

Kingston also said he initiated the parenting and anger management courses on his own and indicated he will comply with Lindsley's domestic violence program requirements.

He also said he wants contact with the others. "I'm looking forward to the day when I can meet with Heidi. I miss her. I love her very much."

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E-mail: lindat@desnews.com