‘Unfit’ Mom Loses Another Child

Crystal Jones’ first child drowned. The next three were removed by the state of Florida after she was declared an unfit mother. The story of Crystal Jones drew national attention last fall (View, Nov. 12, 1992) when her neighbors and a children’s advocacy group demanded that she be forcibly sterilized.

While admitting that she had been a neglectful mother in the past, Jones contended that she was caring well for 5-month-old Stephen Shane Jones while living with her mother, attending weekly counseling sessions and working toward a high school diploma.

Last month Clay County Circuit Court Judge William Wilkes ruled that Stephen Shane was in danger in his mother’s care and ordered him placed in foster care. As Jones, 36, sobbed in the courtroom, her attorney, Terrance A. Jones (no relation) called the decision an outrage and filed notice of appeal. “Never before in Florida has there been a case where a mother’s past has been enough to have a child taken away where there is no evidence of neglect,” he said.

Under terms set by the court and the state’s Department of Health and Rehabilitative Services, Jones can regain custody of her youngest child if she shows evidence of having lived in a stable environment for six months. A review is set for May 12.