Couple Adopts Konopka's Daughter

Megan Konopka’s daughter has been adopted by a couple from Kane, although the little girl’s grandparents had wanted custody of her.

Konopka and her unborn son were murdered last September at the Riddell House. Her daughter Michell, who will turn 2 this month, has been a foster child of Scott and Laura Lorenzo since she was 3 months old.

McKean County Children and Youth Services placed Michell with the Lorenzos after discovering that Konopka was mentally challenged and unable to care for her daughter. Her parents didn’t know about Michell until after Konopka’s death.

Greggory Theobald is serving two consecutive life sentences without the chance of parole for killing Konopka and the unborn baby.

Thomas Haggie has pleaded not guilty to his part in the crime and is undergoing a court-ordered psychiatric evaluation while awaiting trial.

Comments

Anonymous said…
Shame on that couple from Kane. They should have let that child be with her family. And shame on you McKean co CYS, I thought the goal was to keep families together,not permanently tear them apart.
September 2, 2010 at 9:05 PM
Anonymous said…
That is the way cys works they don't care about the families of kids just who has more money
September 3, 2010 at 1:03 PM
ENVIRO_Science_Teacher said…
Although CYS may have made several mistakes in the past and may make mistakes now, it is unfair to simply point the finger at them as though the entity is just that, an "entity". It is an agency comprised of some very dedicated and caring people who, from time to time do go the extra mile. We must realize they face tough decisions on a daily basis and are restricted by various protocol and state laws governing the way they operate. CYS did not decide "where" this child was to reside, that decision was solely up to a judge who may have heard testimony from both sides, but certainly was free to rule in favor of either party. Yes, money, (or a family's ability to provide), does come into play in these decisions, but it goes well beyond that. The grandparents didn't even know the little girl existed, much less were a part of her life before her mother's death; imagine the tearing apart of this little girl's heart if she were to be ripped from the only "family" she had ever known to be raised by a couple of impoverished elderly folks? I'm sure the girl has been through enough and needs the stability of remaining where she has been - with her adoptive family in Kane.
As for CYS and other issues protecting children, I'd have to say we need to start looking at law enforcement and how THEY fail to protect children and act upon CYS reports to them in a timely manner. Perhaps this is because our law enforcement agencies are far too overtaxed and busied in dealing with the rising rash of crime that has overtaken our county?
September 7, 2010 at 12:54 PM
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