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Sandra Yi ReportingUtah's high court could decide whether the children of polygamist John Daniel Kingston and Heidi Mattingly stay with their mother. The attorneys representing the children appealed a juvenile court judge's decision to allow the kids to go back home.
Heidi Mattingly: "I do have to say, this entire experience has been both horrific and humbling."
Life goes on for Heidi Mattingly and her six children, who have been back in her care for more than a year. This morning she raved about her 17-year old son.
Heidi Mattingly: "He has, since returning home, he has graduated, he's graduated with a 98th percentile. He has received his driver's license, and he's currently attending community college at 17-years old. He's doing great."
In August of 2005, after a lengthy custody case, a judge ordered Mattingly's children be returned to her. They were placed in foster care after allegations of abuse.
The Guardian Ad Litem's Office, which represented the children during the custody case, appealed the ruling. It claims the judge did not hear crucial evidence from a child therapist, who would have testified it's not in the children's best interest to be at home.
Gary Bell, Heidi Mattingly's Attorney: "So the question now is, should the guardian ad litem be successful in this appear, what's the next step? Are they going to remove the children from the home where the children are basically thriving?"
Kristin Brewer, Guardian Ad Litem: "A possible result would be the court would remand and reverse an order removal. We have no idea whether that will happen."
John Daniel Kingston: "The sad thing is, it's been very difficult for the children. We'd like this to come to an end so the children can begin to heal."
Kingston says he sees his children often. Mattingly says they're trying to rebuild their lives.
Heidi Mattingly: "Until you go through something like this, it's almost impossible to describe the appreciation you have for your kids at night, when you go home and they're safe."
The Utah Supreme Court is taking the case under advisement.
