Parents of slain mom taking care of baby boy
The child's father is in Leavenworth, and the grandparents have temporary custody
The son of a murdered Schofield Barracks soldier is now under the temporary foster custody of his maternal grandparents.
Steve and Donna LaDuke of Warroad, Minn., took Elijah White home with them on Dec. 20 following a custody hearing that was held at Family Court two days earlier.
"He's doing OK. ... He seems to be adjusting well and sleeping well," said Steve LaDuke from his home in Minnesota.
Elijah was placed under state custody after the death of his mother, Spc. Felicia LaDuke, 22, a motor transport operator with the 25th Transportation Company, 524th Combat Support Battalion.
LaDuke was murdered by the toddler's father, Spc. Jeffery White, on Oct. 7, 2005.
White and LaDuke were involved in a custody and child support battle over their son, who was 20 months old at the time LaDuke was murdered.
Last month, White was sentenced to life in prison by a military jury after he was found guilty of premeditated murder.
He was dishonorably discharged from the Army and is serving his sentence at the U.S. Disciplinary Barracks at Fort Leavenworth, Kan.
The LaDukes are expected to return to Family Court on April 5 before Judge Michael Broderick to determine whether they will obtain permanent custody of Elijah.
The Department of Human Services would not comment on the case, according to a spokesman. But Steve LaDuke is confident they'll be able to keep Elijah.
This was the first time Elijah, who turns 3 next month, spent the holidays with the LaDukes. And he met many of his mother's relatives, including his great-grandmothers, aunts and cousins.
He also received numerous Christmas presents and went on his first snowmobile ride.
"He had a blast," Steve LaDuke said.
Family members of LaDuke and White had earlier agreed how important it is for Elijah to grow up knowing both sides of the family. LaDuke's father recently spoke to White's father, Jarrod Brown of Houston, regarding Elijah.
"Mr. Brown and his family seem to be a very nice family," LaDuke's father said.