Grandchildren of NYS Fugitive Returned to Mother after Child Custody Hearing

By Jeff Schaible

Published on September 06, 2006

Wright temporarily lost custody of her three children – aged three years, four years, and four weeks - after she was charged with endangering her children by sheltering her fugitive father.

After state police arrested Wright on charges of child endangerment, the children were taken away and placed in the custody of Child Protective Services. She was charged with endangering the welfare of her children by allowing her fugitive father to see them, while armed with a handgun.

The Chautauqua County Family Court judge ordered the return of Wright’s children on the conditions that Wright have no contact with her father and submit to unlimited and unscheduled social services visits.

Ralph Phillips, accused of shooting at two state trooper shortly after his escape from prison, has been on the run for five months. He is considered armed and dangerous. One of the officers, State Trooper Joseph Longobardo, died from injuries sustained in the shootout.

Wright, one of six people arrested and charged with aiding Phillips, will return to court next month for a hearing on the child endangerment charges.

Comment on this article →