When the Person Who Murdered Your Daughter Has a Key to Your Home

Names have been changed to protect people’s identities, but this story is real.

John and Jane, the parents of a two-year-old daughter, Rebecca, were lucky to live near Jane’s mother, Grandma Rose, in Milwaukee. Grandma Rose was always helping out and watching Rebecca. 

But being a go-to babysitter is far from being a legal guardian — as she was about to find out. 

A shocking turn of events left Jane dead and John on the run, wanted for her murder. In the face of this tragedy, Grandma Rose was left with her grief and her grandchild, as well as a host of safety concerns and complicated systems to navigate: criminal justice... child protection... victim support. 

Without John in custody, she was afraid for her own life as well as for Rebecca’s. She couldn’t stay in her home knowing he had easy access. 

Crime Victims: More Than the Murdered

With Rebecca’s father still at large, the family’s safety was their top priority. But how could one person cope with these unforeseen security issues, sudden full-time care of a toddler, and the myriad responsibilities that come after an unexpected death? Grandma Rose needed help, and she was entitled to it.

All crime victims have rights, and when murder is involved, those rights extend to the families. Grandma Rose was focused on keeping her grandbaby safe, and she wasn’t aware she was entitled to support: not only restitution and compensation, but also rights involving the criminal justice system. 

Kids Matter Steps In

Grandma Rose originally approached Kids Matter Inc. and asked for support with getting custody of Rebecca, but because Kids Matter is a comprehensive civil legal aid provider,  she got much more. Her advocates helped her:

1. File for temporary relocation assistance until the murderer was caught, and for reimbursement for lock replacement costs on her existing home.

2. Access burial assistance for Jane, her adult daughter.

3. Get healthcare for Rebecca.

4. Access assistance with her employer, so Grandma Rose could have time with Rebecca and bury her daughter. KMI also expedited access to daycare so Grandma Rose could keep her job.

5. End Jane’s lease, get her deposit returned, and pack up her apartment.  

6. Navigate multiple court proceedings — criminal court and civil court, victim impact statement, a protection order, and more.

Most importantly, Kids Matter helped Grandma Rose become Rebecca's legal guardian, so Rebecca can heal and thrive as she grows up.

The Bigger Picture

Every homicide leaves behind grieving families — often children. In Milwaukee alone, there are hundreds of homicides each year. Kids Matter developed the Hope for Homicide Survivors Project specifically to aid families that survive homicides in domestic violence situations. To date, Kids Matter has helped more than 500 children who lost a parent to homicide find a safe and loving home, primarily with relatives. 

This is a powerful example of how civil legal aid helps to ensure everyone can access the safety, fairness, and stability that we all take for granted. It helps stop the domino effect that unexpected events can cause: in the modern day, one tragedy shouldn't have to lead to many more.