AmbergrisCaye.com Home Forums The Cayes Ambergris Caye 13 year old girl found dead, US Parents Held

Conflicting stories? OK the beds may be made but did they talk to or have the children examined by a doctor? They are just trying to cover their asses for not diong their jobs and having been part of this child's death! https://www.sanpedrosun.com/crime-and-violence/2017/07/07/islanders-demand-justice-faye-lin-cannon/

I apologize if I upset you. I am in no way defending either the murderer(s) or the social services personnel who obviously were not doing their jobs. I was just saying that I had read they dismissed the complaints after finding a clean house and you wrote that they did not respond to the complaints at all. This is one example of multiple conflicting stories I've heard / read. There is a lot of speculation going on. Can we agree that it will be good to get some solid information and hope that we do eventually?

The blame game can go on forever, starting with the adoption agency that allowed this couple to adopt 4 kids. Rigorous vetting of adoptive parents should be step one.

Did you watch the videos? Those were the actual people who saw the abuses and reported it to the authorities. Those people were protesting what they saw happening with their own eyes.

Faye Lin's Father Pleads Guilty To Minor Charge

San Pedro Police still have not been able to charge Anke and David Doehm for anything related to the death of their adopted daughter, 13 year old Faye Lin Cannon. As we told you, the 13 year old was found dead in her parents Ambergris Caye condo a week ago, showing signs of severe physical and sexual abuse.

They have been in police custody since Thursday - but investigators still haven't been able to put together all the pieces to charge them for anything related to Faye's death.

Late this evening in San Pedro, they were arraigned on a very minor charge for possession of Valium without a prescription. Daniel Ortiz has been on the island all day and he has this report:..

Daniel Ortiz reporting
Americans Anke and David Doehm were finally taken before the San Pedro Magistrate about 2 and a half hours ago. The couple is being criminally investigated for the death of their daughter, Faye Lin Cannon, but their arraignment this evening had nothing to do with their child's untimely demise.

Police had charged them this weekend with a minor offense of drug possession. That was a tactic deployed so that the police would have lawful authority to detain them longer, while they are being investigated for a charge relating to the child's death.

Supt. Henry Jemmoth - OC, Coastal Executive Unit
"Both family members have been charged for possession of a controlled drug which is valium, that was at the house at the time of the police search. With that we have put the file together and we will send to the DPP, so she has all the pertinent evidence to try and say if we will lay charges. So she will be the person to assist us with that."

Reporter
"So that particular controlled drug, you need to have a prescription for it right?"

Supt. Henry Jemmoth - OC, Coastal Executive Unit
"Yes. Everything is done meticulously very slowly to get all the evidence we need."

Reporter
"Is this like a sort of holding pattern so that police have lawful grounds to keep them while you investigate them for Faye Lin's death?"

Supt. Henry Jemmoth
"Yes."

Reporter
"Is it that after the arraignment when they would be expected to get bail, the police intends to hold them right after that? Or..."

Supt. Henry Jemmoth
"We intend to object to bail on certain grounds that we have placed to the prosecutor."

And while police used that to buy more time, residents of San Pedro are calling for a successful prosecution in the death of Faye Lin.

They were back at it this on Saturday with a demonstration. This time they made sure to get a lawful permit from police to protest, so that they could vent their frustration at the death of an innocent child.

But, for all their cries for justice, police have been carefully combing through the lives of this family, trying to dot all I's and cross all T's. San Pedro Mayor Daniel Guerrero was very circumspect today, calling for the residents to help the police by providing proof, instead of condemning the parents without provable grounds.

Daniel Guerrero - Mayor, San Pedro Town
"Well its definitely a very sad incident and it's an isolated incident also and yes the entire town got shocked. Everybody kind of hurt - it touches your heart and I am of the opinion that as the population grows we will be seeing things like this. It's not something we would want to see, but people need to be real. The bigger the population, the more incidents and things will be occurring and if we would have none, this wouldn't have happened. This little girl I knew her very well. I knew the whole family and these people do rent with my sister. But that's about it. We don't know them that much. Because I don't like to interfere in anybody business or people's lives, but really and truly they had a really successful business, but the people are saying different out there. I don't know if all these saying out there if they can come forward and provide evidence and that's the problem, because the officer in charge is asking the general public to come forward and bring evidence to have better investigation results. But I am not sure if they are going forward with that evidence at the police station."

"I never saw anything - I'll be straightforward. I hear what people say, but I never saw anything myself. It could be that the people saw something. Again, like I say they need to come with evidence. I am not trying to protect them, but I'm just saying that if people can say certain things on the social media or the media itself then need to prove that, they need to come with solid sound evidence. Because if they don't have it, it doesn't takes us anywhere."

The San Pedro Commanding Officer was able to briefly answer a few of our pointed questions.

Supt. Henry Jemmoth
"I won't go into details about the evidence gathering, but I could tell you that we had additional personnel on the ground over the weekend assisting us in all angles of recording statements, getting all the evidence that we need to submit to the DPP and if necessary, if she wants more or other stuff that we need to submit to her, then we will do that."

Reporter
"Is there any proof to reports that the FBI is assisting in this case?"

Supt. Henry Jemmoth
"Well yes. It is a US national, so they are assisting to a certain extent, but I must tell you that the Belize Police Department takes the lead on any cases that happens within Belize."

Reporter
"Are you able to say prior to her death that residents complained about Faye Lin's physical abuse to this station?"

Supt. Henry Jemmoth
"We have no such report on record. We have one report that was made to the Human Development [Department] and our officer at the time in 2014 accompany the human development officer to check on that situation. A medical report has to be ordered and as soon as that is compiled as well and that is completed that will be submitted. Also the children will be interviewed by a specialist to see if they can get any evidence out of them."

"Also because of the nature of what had happened, we are trying not to exhaust the kids, because remember they are young and we don't want to exhaust them with this investigation and they will lock up and we will not get any evidence from them. So we have to be very careful how we do it."

Reporter
"Is this being treated as a murder investigation?"

Supt. Henry Jemmoth
"It is still being treated as a murder investigation."

Reporter
"Sir are you able to say whether any of the investigating officers have observed any physical injuries on the other children?"

Supt. Henry Jemmoth
"Physical injuries, I could say no. They haven't seen any physical injuries on the other children."

Reporter
"In terms of closing the case, it appears that's going to take a while, but do you expect to bring charges to, maybe preliminary and then add to the case after?"

Supt. Henry Jemmoth
"If the DPP gives us the guidance and the instructions then we follow that. But I will tell you that the case is an ongoing case and an ongoing matter."

It's ongoing, but the police now have a 48-hour deadline because their attempt to buy more time didn't exactly work out according to plan.

So, to the arraignment itself, the Americans were arraigned this evening before Magistrate Villanueva. They were read a single charge of possession of a controlled drug. Police found a few grams of valium in their house, and David Doehm did not have a recent prescription for this drug which is otherwise illegal.

He pleaded guilty to the charge explaining that he got the prescription from his doctor back in 2014 and 2015, and when he went to refill that prescription drug, they didn't give him an updated document. He says that he trusted his medical provider, and he didn't know that he was committing an offense.

He was fined $185 dollars, and he and his wife were released. But, police detained them immediately after they were released, and so the 48 hours of detention restarts, while police try to find enough evidence to bring a charge against them for the death of their daughter.

Outrage on the island against the couple and the Department of Human services remains high, and townspeople protested again on Saturday - this time with the proper permit. This video from the San Pedro Sun shows a good turnout on Saturday demanding justice for Faye, and condemning the lack of decisive action by social service workers and police.

Today the Department of Human Services issued a rare statement, defending its actions - or perceived inaction - in this case. It says, quote, "Departmental records show that in 2014, there was a report of improper supervision and inadequate parenting whereby the Cannon children were being exposed to the elements. A joint investigation was conducted along with the Police Department, where the parents, children and school officials were interviewed. The allegation was substantiated, however, there were no disclosures or indicators of any other forms of physical or sexual abuse at that time. As such, the Department created a plan with the parents for the proper supervision of the children. The plan was monitored for adherence and the case was later closed when it was deemed that the parents had been compliant. Since then, the Department's records show no other reports being made of neglect or abuse of these children." End quote.

The statement adds that Faye's three surviving sisters have been taken into protective care. The department is also conducting a child abuse investigation and, quote, "has referred the children for therapeutic counselling to assist them through this traumatic experience."

In 2016, the Ministry received and investigated 1,485 reports of child abuse and neglect - and urges anyone in the public who sees something to call 0-800-PROTECT, the nearest police station, or Crime Stoppers International at 0-800-922-TIPS.

Channel 7

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Doehms charged and re-arrested as San Pedro Police continue investigating murder of Faye Lin Cannon

American couple David and Ankhe Doehm remain in police custody as the prime suspects for the murder of their adoptive 13-year-old daughter Faye Lin Cannon. The duo had their first hearing at the San Pedro Magistrate Court on Monday, July 10th, where they were on trial for a separate matter-drug possession. Ankhe denied the accusations and was released, but almost immediately re-arrested. David declared himself guilty for the offence and was offered bail, but after he could not meet this, he was re-arrested as well. The couple will remain in police custody for another 48 hours as police continue investigating.

It was also revealed that there are intentions to interrogate Faye's siblings, as they might be able to contribute vital information towards solving the case, which is still being treated as a homicide. "We don't want to exhaust the children at the moment with the investigation, but at some point they will be interviewed by a specialist in order to try to get more evidence," he said. Jemmott denied multiple reports about the alleged abuses the children were exposed to while with the Doehms. "We have one report that was made to the Human Development Department in 2014, but after that there were no other reports." The San Pedro Police Department are confident that they will soon bring charges upon the suspects. However, they also caution that it is a case that needs to be investigated meticulously. He said that there are still many questions to be answered, and police are working on the situation as fast as they can in order to solve the matter in the next 48 hours.

Click here to read the rest of the article in the San Pedro Sun

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The Ministry of Human Development Press Release re: Faye Lin Cannon

The Ministry of Human Development, Social Transformation and Poverty Alleviation joins the nation of Belize in grieving the death of 13-year-old, Faye Lin Cannon of San Pedro Town. The Department of Human Services (DHS) is collaborating with the San Pedro Police Department in its criminal investigation. Following the detention of the mother and stepfather by the Police Department, on July 6th, 2017, the three surviving siblings were taken into protective care. DHS is also currently conducting its child abuse investigation and has referred the children for therapeutic counselling to assist them through this traumatic experience.

While DHS is unable to discuss the details of cases due to our mandate of confidentiality, there have been a number of disclosures about the Department's previous involvement with the family in the media. Departmental records show that in 2014, there was a report of improper supervision and inadequate parenting whereby the Cannon children were being exposed to the elements. A joint investigation was conducted along with the Police Department, where the parents, children and school officials were interviewed. The allegation was substantiated, however, there were no disclosures or indicators of any other forms of physical or sexual abuse at that time. As such, the Department created a plan with the parents for the proper supervision of the children. The plan was monitored for adherence and the case was later closed when it was deemed that the parents had been compliant. Since then, the Department's records show no other reports being made of neglect or abuse of these children.

The Ministry takes this opportunity to remind the public that the Families and Children (Child Abuse Reporting) Regulations, Chapter 173 Revised Edition 2003, specifies that it is a moral obligation of the general public to report child abuse and it is mandatory for family members, education personnel, health personnel, and any person whose daily work involves children to report any known or suspected abuse or neglect of children to the Department of Human Services or Police Department. If you know of or suspect that a child is being neglected or abused, we urge you to make a report by calling our toll-free hotline 0-800-PROTECT, nearest police station, or Crime Stoppers International at 0-800-922-TIPS.

It is unfortunate that the abuse of our children continues to be an everyday occurrence. In 2016, the Ministry received and investigated 1,485 reports of child abuse and neglect and is aware that many more cases go unreported. To strengthen this child protection and response system, the Ministry has partnered with the National Committee for Families and Children, Ministry of Education, and NOPCAN to conduct nationwide training on Mandatory Reporting of Child Abuse. The program aims to train all those who work with children to detect the signs and symptoms of abuse and apply appropriate protocols for responding to suspected cases. So far, training workshops has been held for primary school teachers and other stakeholders in the Belize Districts.

The Ministry takes ALL reports of child abuse and neglect seriously and will continue to work with the various stakeholders in the Child Protection System and the community to safeguard our children.

US Couple Transferred To Belize City

Today it caused quite a stir in downtown Belize City when the US couple held for the death of their daughter, Anke and David Doehm were transferred to Belize City.

Police brought the couple via boat to Centre Point building on North Front Street at around 11:30 this morning. They wore handcuffs and were escorted into the building, but then put back in the boat when too much of a media hubbub was created.

The couple was then taken to another location where they were put in a police vehicle. As we understand it, David Doehm has been remanded for drug possession since he could not pay the $185.00 dollar fine he got yesterday when he pleaded guilty to having valium without a prescription.

Anke Doehm is being questioned - we are told - in connection with child pornography since this has now emerged as a possible factor in this case.

And while we thought they would remain in custody, this evening in Belmopan, the Police Commissioner told the press that that they are to be released. That's after almost a week in detention. He outlined how the investigators carefully avoided violating their constitutional rights:

Allen Whylie - Commissioner of Police
"My understanding is that the two individuals were detained pending the investigation. They were subsequently charged for possession of drugs and were remanded by a Justice of the Peace. They appeared in court I believe it was Monday evening. One of the individual plead guilty, the other was released by the court. The individual who plead guilty I understand the fine was to be paid forthwith. He was unable to pay his fine and so a warrant of commitment was issued for that individual. He, along with his wife I understand were transported to Belize City today. He would have been taken to the prison to serve his time, but I understand that his fine has since been paid."

"The female was re-detained to look at the issue of pornography. I think that the investigators have gone through some of their equipment and the photo that they have seen, the legal advice given by our legal advice I understand that it would not amount to pornography and so I believe that both individuals may have been released from police custody already."

"It's a heinous crime in my view and a difficult crime to investigate, because of the fact that it occurred within the privacy of their home and it occurred within one family and so the investigators have been interviewing along with social the members of the family, in particular the children and we've submitted what we had to the DPP."

"I don't think we are at the stage that we can charge until we hear from the DPP whether or not what we have is sufficient to do so."

"There is always concern in terms of when these cases occur and foreigners are involved, that they may flee the jurisdiction. That is not to say that we are at the stage where we can charge anyone, but obviously they were the parents and should be able to account for any injuries that happened to their child."

So, as you heard, for all the public outrage on San Pedro, police have no further cause to detain them at this time. We've checked with DPP Cheryl-Lynn Vidal who told us that she is reviewing the investigation file all the statements that have been sent to her so far. Police say that they are awaiting her instructions on how they should proceed with the case.

Police: Compol Wrong, Doehms Still Detained

Before the break, we told you how the Commissioner got it wrong when he said that Americans David and Anke Doehm were released from police custody.

Here's his exact words from this evening, when he spoke on the case:

Allen Whylie - Commissioner of Police
"He, along with his wife I understand were transported to Belize City today. He would have been taken to the prison to serve his time, but I understand that his fine has since been paid."

"The female was re-detained to look at the issue of pornography. I think that the investigators have gone through some of their equipment and the photo that they have seen, the legal advice given by our legal advice I understand that it would not amount to pornography and so I believe that both individuals may have been released from police custody already."

Well, we've since confirmed that he was misinformed by the officers briefing him on the investigation. A few minutes ago the Police Press office said, quote, "

David Doehm is at Kolby Fondation on a committal warrant and Anke Doehm is detained in police custody pending investigation." End quote.

So, then it seems the commissioner - who is the top cop - somehow had it wrong on this very public, highly scrutinized case.

Special Envoy Speaks On San Pedro Couple

As we told you at the top of this segment, just a few hours ago, the Commissioner of police said that David And Anke Doehm had been released - but other senior sources tell us otherwise tonight.

And that very public confusion arises - in part - because this case is under such close public scrutiny.

Indeed, the death of 13 year old Faye Lin Cannon - in circumstances of extreme abuse - has sent waves of outrage across the country. Today Special Envoy for Women and Children Kim Simplis Barrow commented on this case. Barrow says this tragic case gives a reminder that more social workers are needed to better follow up on these cases of child abuse:

Kim Simplis Barrow - Special Envoy for Women and Children
"It's a sad situation and it's a sad day for us in Belize, the children were living here. When we look back and we always say in hind sight maybe something could have been done. We as Belizeans have to really be more aware of our surroundings, we are very friendly Belizean people and we are very welcoming. The dynamics are changing and especially in San Pedro where the population is growing so much. We have to start being conscious that these things do exist and it doesn't matter, abuse doesn't have a face, abuse doesn't have a status whether it's religious, whether it is financial status, anyone can be an abuser so we also have to be aware of that. We have to continue advocating for more social workers and as I said before I encourage more of our students to take up careers such as these, to become social workers because we do need it in Belize. We have to continue to advocate and we have to continue to provide every single means to protect our children. I am aware that there are different processes and there are different situations whereby a child can be removed from a family. I am not sure if whatever report was made fell under that category so, there are so many different situations and scenarios. I had not received the report as yet."

Courtney Weatherburne
"Do you work along with the human services? Is there a collaboration there when it comes to this case or not necessarily?"

Kim Simplis Barrow - Special Envoy for Women and Children
"Not necessarily, they do their own investigation and their own thing because of my role I will always ask for a report."

As we told you last night, the Human Services Department that they did follow up on reports improper supervision and inadequate parenting in 2014 but after investigating, the parents showed improvement and the case was closed. The department says they don't' have any record of any other reports - while the islanders say they made several complaints and nothing was done.

Channel 7

American Couple Charged For Child Cruelty After Death Of Their Daughter

Tonight, there are charges for Anke and David Doehm that link them to the death of their adopted daughter, 13 year old Faye Lin Cannon.

Police report that the DPP has directed them to jointly charge the Doehm's with the crime of "Cruelty to a child."

Anke Doehm - who is in police custody - has already been arrested and charged while David Doehm - who is at the Hattieville Prison - will be formally arrested and charged tomorrow when he is brought down from prison.

Of course, it's not a murder charge - which some might have expected - but the Police note that this crime carries a sentence of 10 years in jail.

So, tonight, the American couple faces the first charge that have them as some way responsible for the death of their child.

And so, what was up with the confusion caused by the Commissioner of Police last night? He said that they had been released, but when we checked, Anke Doehm was at the Queen Street Police Station and David Doehm was on remand at the Hattieville Prison.

The couple were brought in from San Pedro yesterday morning - causing quite a stir in the downtown area.

Today we asked the new officer commanding for the Northside, Senior Superintendent Ralph Moody to discuss the mix-up:..

Alex Courtenay
"We spoke to the commissioner yesterday and we had some information that we are not sure about in terms of the detention of the Doehms from San Pedro. Can you confirm to us that they are indeed detained at the Queen Street police station?"

Sr. Supt. Ralph Moody - Commander, Northside Police
"The young lady is at the Queen Street police station and the young man is at prison, I don't want to create any problems, if me and my boss have any problems I just want to be truthful. I believe at some point in time the boss was misled and that's why he made that statement. I really apologize for misleading our boss and it is not something intentional that we want to mislead the public right so we are getting it right and definitely it won't happen again."

The couple has been detained since last week Thursday - three days after their 13 year old adopted daughter, Faye Lin Cannon was found dead in their condominium. A post mortem found that she had been physically and sexually abused. She died of chest compression, or force to her chest so great that it snapped three ribs, one of which punctured her heart. Their other three adopted daughters have been in protective care of the Department of Human Services since July 6th.

Channel 7

Doehms To Court For Child Cruelty, DPP Fights To Get Them Remanded

Tonight, after 8 days of being investigated for the death of their daughter, the Americans David and Anke Doehm are at the Belize Central Prison.

They were arraigned this evening before Chief Magistrate Ann Marie Smith on the charge of "cruelty to a child". DPP Cheryl-Lynn Vidal has reviewed all the evidence that the police have gathered in the questionable death of 13 year-old Faye Lin Cannon, and she is convinced that her office can prove that the child's parents were criminally negligent in their care of her.

It's the first offense that they're facing, which holds them somehow responsible for Faye Lin's death.

And to ensure that they would be remanded, DPP Vidal appeared for the arraignment of the couple. Both she and defense attorneys Ellis Arnold and Dickey Bradley fought to see whether they would be remanded or released on bail. Our news team was at court for the arraignment, and Daniel Ortiz has that story:

Daniel Ortiz reporting
This afternoon, after 7 days in detention, David and Anke Doehm were brought to the Belize City Magistrate's Court to face the first criminal charge for the death of their daughter, 13 year-old Faye Lin Cannon.

They were arraigned and remanded on the offense of cruelty to a child. The prosecuting authorities freely acknowledge that at this time, there is not enough evidence to substantiate a charge of murder against the husband and wife.

Cheryl-Lynn Vidal - Director of Public Prosecutions
"We do not unfortunately at this time have sufficient evidence to charge anyone with actually causing the death of Faye Lin, but we didn't think that it was appropriate for us to ignore other charges that could have possibly been laid and one of them certainly "cruelty of a child" and so we decided that while the investigation into the death is ongoing, we would nonetheless proceed with this one since we have sufficient evidence to prove this charge."

And that leads the defence attorneys to believe that "cruelty to a child" is an attempt to keep the Doehms locked up while the police try to gather sufficient evidence to bring the murder charge against their clients.

Dickie Bradley - Attorney for David Doehm
"You did hear Ellis Arnold kind of joke it off, but also made an issue of it that the police are usually nowadays getting involve in putting a holding charge. We were saying that perhaps maybe they are trying to see if they can find information for a more serious charge and has brought this charge and the reason they are asking the court to hold on to them is in the hopes that perhaps they will be able to get some further information in their investigation."

But, the DPP says not so. There is sufficient evidence that the couple neglected the health of Faye Lin, and that's why they are now accused of that.

Cheryl-Lynn Vidal
"Because there is a primary investigation in relation to the killing of a child, does not mean of there is nether evidence in relation to the offence that police are going to act. We don't very often see this degree of criminality. The observations section of the post mortem report reads like a horror story and the doctor says, of course with a caveat that we don't want to try the case here, but that he observed fresh injuries, old injuries and all of them significant injuries. When interviewed under caution, both persons admitted to knowing of injuries being sustained by the victim. We cannot at this stage say that they caused those injuries, but they were aware of injuries. They were of the view that she was suffering from a certain illness and in all that time they never took her for any kind of medical treatment. In all that time they never took her to a doctor to be diagnosed. Instead they decided to administer valium to her and to perform some Japanese healing technique on her and the extend nature of the injuries I think definitely in light of the fact that they were the persons who were responsible for taking care of this child, amount to tremendous neglect of their part."

Both sides argued strenuously to try to convince Chief Magistrate Ann Marie Smith why she should grant or refuse bail. In the end, she considered the submissions from both sides and determined that the couple is a flight risk, and should be remanded.

The defense attorneys say that this is a set back, but they will redouble efforts at the Supreme Court with an application for bail there.

Dickie Bradley
"You know the Supreme Court has granted bail to other persons who have had far more serious allegations than neglecting a child, so that we have said from the outset and we advised the two accused persons that it is a matter that should best be dealt with at the Supreme Court level. So the matter of their freedom goes to the proper place which is the Supreme Court that upholds the freedom of everybody who is charged on allegation and can satisfy the court that we have no reason to get up and run."

And the DPP's Office, anticipating this tactic, will maintain a strong objection to both accused being admitted to bail.

Cheryl-Lynn Vidal
"Without a doubt. We honestly believe that they are flight risk. Given all of the circumstances that I would have outlined in court today and the situation will not change if the matter is before the Supreme Court instead of the magistrate court and we intend to continue our objection to them being admitted to bail."

"The investigation in relation to the death of Faye Lin in ongoing. You know that most often you hear from me when I am ranting and raving about the police, but I cannot say anything unfavorable in this case. They consulted with us as earlier as it was possible for them to do so and I really feel as though they are investing a lot of time and energy into this investigation and doing everything that they can possibly do. So the fact that we have not been able to lay a charge for the death of Faye Lin, is not for want a proper investigation by the police."

Notably that was the first on camera interview that DPP Cheryl-Lynn Vidal has granted us since 2008. She told us that even though the community of San Pedro has been protesting the death of Faye Lin, they have also been very helpful by providing witness statements that have assisted the police.

Ultimately, Chief Magistrate Ann Marie Smith decided that David and Anke Doehm are a flight risk, and so, she couldn't granted bail. They have been remanded until August 24, where they will be taken back before the San Pedro Magistrate Court. Partial Disclosure is expected to be done in October.

Original Adoptive Father Wants Custody Of Faye's Sisters

So, while Faye and David Doehm are at the Prison, the 3 other adopted daughters are in the care of the Ministry of Human Development, which is being assisted by the US Embassy.

We have learned that their adoptive father, David Cannon, is in Belize, and he is trying to gain custody of the girls, insisting that he can provide better care for them. He shares parental rights with Anke Doehm, and at this point, he is only allowed visitation. David Doehm is the adopted stepdad to the children, and with the death of Faye Lin, the original adoptive father believes that he should have full custody of the children.

Today, his attorney spoke with the press about his attempts to get full parental over the children:

Roberta Magnus-Usher
"Well I think first and foremost is that he wants to find out what is happening with his girls and he wants to ensure their welfare and the burial of his child, the child how has died. He is very disturbed by all that has happened and he is willing and cooperating with everyone for the best interest of his children and wants of course to get the custody of the girls."

Reporter
"Ma'am has he indicated to you when was the last time he saw them or at least Faye Lin?"

Robertha Usher
"Well he lives in the United States so he is only able to come on weekends that he has visitation and he travels as often as he can to Belize to get to see the children."

Reporter
"Did he speak to you about ever getting complaints from Faye Lin of maybe abuse - verbal, physical or sexual abuse, at any point?"

Robertha Usher
"No, no. This is very…one of the things that we have to be aware of is that there is an ongoing investigation. So this is very sensitive at this time and he wants to cooperate with the authorities, so there is not much that we are willing to say at the point. All that he is willing to do and say is that he is here for his girls; he is here to protect them and he is here to play the role of the father in their lives. He is the father with legal rights."

Reporter
"So has he seen the other three girls that are under the order of care?"

Robertha Usher
"I'm not at liberty to say anything much about that right now. Unfortunately….I will say this, Human Services has played a very active role so far and we are cooperating with them for the time being."

The Ministry of Human Development is allowed to keep temporary custody of the children for the next 3 months.

Channel 7

Her parents were seen feeding the children bread and water! They were getting 5K every month for support of these girls!! From channel 5 news

"In court today it was revealed that David Cannon, Anke's ex-husband, adopted the children while they were together. Cannon traveled to Belize on various occasions to visit his daughters. Cannon also provided his ex-wife with monthly maintenance of five thousand four hundred U.S. dollars for the proper care of the children. Shocked by Faye Lin's demise, Cannon has been in Belize since July seventh, working along with the respective local authorities. "

The San Pedro Sun (online version) has a comment from one of their neighbors when they lived in Hawaii, stating that the girls were being neglected and abused (at least verbally) by both the mother & stepfather. It's heart-breaking to imagine what life has been like for these kids.