A hearing to decide the permanent guardianship of the three children shared between the missing Chula Vista mother, Maya Millete, and her husband, Larry Millete was held on Jan.19 with no decision made.
Maya’s Sister, Maricris Drouaillet, along, with the children’s paternal grandparents, Benito and Judith Millete, virtually appeared in court with their lawyers. The hearing centered around visitation rights for the three children.
The Millete children continue to remain in the custody of their paternal grandparents. They have been under their care since Larry’s arrest on suspicion of murdering Maya, who has been missing for over a year now. Larry, who prosecutors allege killed his wife after she sought a divorce, remains jailed without bail.
In November, Maya’s sister sought temporary custody of the Millete children with plans of permanent custody. San Diego Superior Judge Julia Craig Kelety ruled the children will remain under the care of their paternal grandparents.
Visitation rights were granted to the children’s maternal relatives beginning Nov.14, during which Droulliet and members of Maya’s family would meet from 12- 3 p.m. In the Jan.19 hearing, a judge ruled Maya’s relatives are now able to get visitation rights in Riverside County from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. every other weekend. Exchanges in public places will occur in public spaces.
The court extended the parental grandparent's temporary guardianship until April 25. The grandparents will be required to drive the three children to their visitations until then.
In November, the court appointed a guardian ad litem: La Mesa attorney Kelley James, who represents the interests of the children for this case only.
At the hearing, James reported Larry had not been in contact with the children. According to the guardian, the children are doing well and have begun attending court-ordered therapy.
A decision regarding permanent guardianship was not decided during this hearing.
Another hearing is slated for April 25.
