LilMtnCbn
06-27-2004, 08:06 AM
http://www.timesleader.com/mld/timesleader/9021992.htm
Questions bedevil family of mom
Child ended up in the home of a relative who had been arrested on drug charges.
By KALEN CHURCHER
When Jolene Ament was discharged from Berks County Prison on Friday, it was not
a time for rejoicing.
The 23-year-old Reading resident, jailed on a burglary charge according to a
prison official, was leaving to plan funeral arrangements for her 2-year-old
son, Christopher Eberhardt Jr. Prison officials and her family arranged the
release.
In the custody of his uncle Dale Eberhardt, the toddler was found dead
Wednesday at 326 Blackman St. A cause and manner of death have not yet been
listed. An autopsy revealed "nothing out of the ordinary or suspicious."
Police searched Eberhardt's home and uncovered suspected drug residue and drug
paraphernalia. A background check reveals Eberhardt was convicted on drug
charges, and his landlord was in the process of evicting him.
"I don't understand how the kids ended up in a house like that," said an Ament
family member, speaking on the condition on anonymity Saturday from Reading.
Jolene's 1-year-old son, Nathan, was also under Dale Eberhardt's custody. He
has since been moved to emergency foster care.
Last year, family members debated what would be best for Christopher Jr. and
Nathan. With two children of their own, Jolene's brother Kevin, also of
Reading, and his wife could not afford to take in two more. Their parents and
other siblings also didn't have the means. Family members said a Luzerne County
agency placed the children with Dale Eberhardt. That could not be confirmed
Saturday.
According to the Ament family members, Jolene Ament and Christopher Eberhardt
Sr. met over the Internet about three years ago. She was a 20-year-old from
Reading with a good heart and a troubled early childhood. He, with blue hair,
was pushing 30 and from Luzerne County.
"Jolene was considered a special-needs kid and had a difficult time prior to
(being adopted)," said the family member. The family member would not go into
detail about Jolene's childhood problems but did say she had treatment for them
as a teenager.
Kevin Ament said although his siblings lived their own "personal hell" before
being adopted, each, except Jolene, had their own "crutch" to fall back on.
She never had the ability to deal with things emotionally, he said. "People who
don't have the emotional tools are like easy prey."
Jolene came to the Wilkes-Barre area to be with her boyfriend about three years
ago. That's when, her family says, she became involved in drugs.
"I blame (Christopher Sr.) for introducing her," the family member said,
"although no one stuck it in her arm."
Jolene, unavailable to speak Saturday, traveled back and forth between Luzerne
County and Reading several times attempting to get clean. Until the boys were
taken from her late last year, she kept a neat house for herself, Christopher
Jr. and Nathan, family members said.
Though specifics of Jolene's incarceration are sketchy, the family member said
she got into trouble, received probation and then failed to appear in court.
The children were taken away, and she was jailed at Bucks County prison.
It is unclear where her boyfriend, Christopher Eberhardt Sr., was at that time,
but the children, both his, were placed with his brother Dale. Dale Eberhardt
would not comment on his nephew's death or his brother. The current whereabouts
of Christopher Eberhardt could not be obtained Saturday.
After Christopher Jr.'s death, Dale Eberhardt told Jolene's family he loved the
toddler and that the boy died from pneumonia, the family member said. That is
also what an aunt told a Blackman Street neighbor.
"If he had pneumonia, why wasn't he in the hospital?" the family member asked.
"This whole thing just doesn't sound right."
Kevin Ament also questions why Christopher Jr. was not taking medicine if he
was ill.
Now, Jolene's main concern is getting Nathan back, and the family will work
together to help make that happen, Kevin said. Jolene completed a 12-step
program while in prison, and the family believes the boy's death will serve as
a wake-up call.
If Jolene cannot regain custody, Kevin says the family will again look to one
another to make room. As a last result, he said, they'll discuss adoption by an
outside family.
"She's really upset. Really, really jarred over this," the anonymous family
member said. "I think this will change her attitude toward drugs in the
future."
Kevin said he reminds Jolene that Nathan is still out there and that she has to
be strong for him. Later this week, Jolene will identify her son's body before
it is cremated. A private funeral service will be held.
-------------------------
A good friend will come and bail you out of jail . . . but, a true friend will
be sitting next to you saying, "Damn . . . that was fun!"
-----Unknown
Questions bedevil family of mom
Child ended up in the home of a relative who had been arrested on drug charges.
By KALEN CHURCHER
When Jolene Ament was discharged from Berks County Prison on Friday, it was not
a time for rejoicing.
The 23-year-old Reading resident, jailed on a burglary charge according to a
prison official, was leaving to plan funeral arrangements for her 2-year-old
son, Christopher Eberhardt Jr. Prison officials and her family arranged the
release.
In the custody of his uncle Dale Eberhardt, the toddler was found dead
Wednesday at 326 Blackman St. A cause and manner of death have not yet been
listed. An autopsy revealed "nothing out of the ordinary or suspicious."
Police searched Eberhardt's home and uncovered suspected drug residue and drug
paraphernalia. A background check reveals Eberhardt was convicted on drug
charges, and his landlord was in the process of evicting him.
"I don't understand how the kids ended up in a house like that," said an Ament
family member, speaking on the condition on anonymity Saturday from Reading.
Jolene's 1-year-old son, Nathan, was also under Dale Eberhardt's custody. He
has since been moved to emergency foster care.
Last year, family members debated what would be best for Christopher Jr. and
Nathan. With two children of their own, Jolene's brother Kevin, also of
Reading, and his wife could not afford to take in two more. Their parents and
other siblings also didn't have the means. Family members said a Luzerne County
agency placed the children with Dale Eberhardt. That could not be confirmed
Saturday.
According to the Ament family members, Jolene Ament and Christopher Eberhardt
Sr. met over the Internet about three years ago. She was a 20-year-old from
Reading with a good heart and a troubled early childhood. He, with blue hair,
was pushing 30 and from Luzerne County.
"Jolene was considered a special-needs kid and had a difficult time prior to
(being adopted)," said the family member. The family member would not go into
detail about Jolene's childhood problems but did say she had treatment for them
as a teenager.
Kevin Ament said although his siblings lived their own "personal hell" before
being adopted, each, except Jolene, had their own "crutch" to fall back on.
She never had the ability to deal with things emotionally, he said. "People who
don't have the emotional tools are like easy prey."
Jolene came to the Wilkes-Barre area to be with her boyfriend about three years
ago. That's when, her family says, she became involved in drugs.
"I blame (Christopher Sr.) for introducing her," the family member said,
"although no one stuck it in her arm."
Jolene, unavailable to speak Saturday, traveled back and forth between Luzerne
County and Reading several times attempting to get clean. Until the boys were
taken from her late last year, she kept a neat house for herself, Christopher
Jr. and Nathan, family members said.
Though specifics of Jolene's incarceration are sketchy, the family member said
she got into trouble, received probation and then failed to appear in court.
The children were taken away, and she was jailed at Bucks County prison.
It is unclear where her boyfriend, Christopher Eberhardt Sr., was at that time,
but the children, both his, were placed with his brother Dale. Dale Eberhardt
would not comment on his nephew's death or his brother. The current whereabouts
of Christopher Eberhardt could not be obtained Saturday.
After Christopher Jr.'s death, Dale Eberhardt told Jolene's family he loved the
toddler and that the boy died from pneumonia, the family member said. That is
also what an aunt told a Blackman Street neighbor.
"If he had pneumonia, why wasn't he in the hospital?" the family member asked.
"This whole thing just doesn't sound right."
Kevin Ament also questions why Christopher Jr. was not taking medicine if he
was ill.
Now, Jolene's main concern is getting Nathan back, and the family will work
together to help make that happen, Kevin said. Jolene completed a 12-step
program while in prison, and the family believes the boy's death will serve as
a wake-up call.
If Jolene cannot regain custody, Kevin says the family will again look to one
another to make room. As a last result, he said, they'll discuss adoption by an
outside family.
"She's really upset. Really, really jarred over this," the anonymous family
member said. "I think this will change her attitude toward drugs in the
future."
Kevin said he reminds Jolene that Nathan is still out there and that she has to
be strong for him. Later this week, Jolene will identify her son's body before
it is cremated. A private funeral service will be held.
-------------------------
A good friend will come and bail you out of jail . . . but, a true friend will
be sitting next to you saying, "Damn . . . that was fun!"
-----Unknown
