Jan 27, 2006 11:58 pm US/Eastern
Judge: Nixzmary's Mom May Not Speak To Her Kids
Nixzaliz Santiago, However, Is Allowed To Send Them Mail
by Jim Rosenfield
NEW YORK (AP) ―
The mother of 7-year-old Nixzmary Brown, a girl found beaten to death earlier this month, cannot have phone contact with her five other children, a Brooklyn Family Court judge ruled Friday.
Judge Nora L. Freeman said it was too early in the emotionally charged case for the children to speak with their mother, Nixzaliz Santiago.
But Freeman did say during the largely procedural hearing in Family Court that the mother could send mail to the four boys and girl -- all of whom remain in protective custody.
Santiago, 27, and the stepfather, Cesar Rodriguez, 27, have been charged with multiple felony counts, including second-degree murder. Rodriguez has also been accused of molesting Nixzmary and abusing her other five siblings who lived in their cramped Brooklyn apartment.
Rodriguez and Santiago, who sat stone-faced in gray jumpsuits during the heavily guarded hearing, have pleaded not guilty in the girl's Jan. 11 death.
Freeman said the children were receiving counseling and are living together in Spanish-speaking home.
At least two relatives have expressed interest in custody of one or more of the children.
The judge is not expected to make a decision for some time.
(© 2006 CBS Worldwide Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
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