Judge Gives Polygamist Mother One More Chance

KSL-TV/November 10, 2004

A judge is giving one of John Daniel Kingston's polygamist wives one last chance to become a better parent.

Heidi Mattingly lost custody of her children, after prosecutors showed a pattern of abuse and neglect dating back to 1994.

Today, the judge agreed to let Mattingly have longer, supervised visits with her children, as she undergoes counseling to learn better parenting skills.

But the judge found Mattingly is still in denial.

She denied knowing about a rat bite on her son's toe that went untreated for almost a year.

Mattingly also testified she didn't recognize a picture of her dirty refrigerator.

Heidi Mattingly/Mother: "I don't have any comment today other than I want to say that I love my children very much, and I miss them very much."

John Daniel Kingston is not allowed any contact with the children.