Mother of 15 jailed for contempt

A homeless mother with 12 dependent children hasn't won any supporters lately by loudly complaining that the various welfare agencies trying to help her weren't doing enough.

Angel Adams gained a new detractor on Thursday: a circuit judge who jailed the griping mom after she refused to reveal if she was pregnant with her 16th child.

Adams, 37, was held in contempt of court at a status hearing. She was handcuffed and escorted from the courtroom. The judge ordered her children placed in foster care for the second time in two years.

The hearing began as an update on the family's living arrangements but soon grew into an acrimonious exchange between Adams and Hillsborough Circuit Judge Tracy Sheehan.

The family court judge asked Adams to divulge names of relatives and anyone else who would visit her new home. The names are needed to ensure the children are in a safe environment, the judge said. Adams refused to comply.

"She believes she shouldn't be giving personal information about her relatives," said Scott Horvat, Adams' court-appointed attorney.

Sheehan said the safety of the children was paramount and that Adams was required to give the names of anyone who would be visiting her home. Those people would undergo background checks.

"Someday when we get out of your life, you can cavort with anyone you want," the judge said, "but before that, we want to see who visits your house."

Adams still refused to comment.

Nick Cox, regional director of the Florida Department of Children & Families, told the court his department "was incredibly close" to asking the judge to place all the children in foster care and remove Adams from the picture.

Two years ago, Adams lost her children after neglect allegations were lodged. The children were reunited with her six months ago.

Sheehan ordered a short recess to allow Horvat to persuade Adams to answer the questions.

When court resumed, Horvat gave the names of four family members who would be frequent visitors to her home. Sheehan then asked Adams whether she was pregnant.

"No comment," Adams said.

"It's a yes or no question," the judge said. "If you're pregnant, I assume you got together with a man."

The judge said case workers need to know who the man was. Horvat objected to the question.

"That is my concern. Who is around these children?" Sheehan said. "It would appear to me you look pregnant."

Adams can get out of jail by answering the questions, the judge said. A hearing was set for this afternoon.

Sheehan granted a motion by the state to place the children in foster care. Even if Adams returns to court today and cooperates, the state will oppose any motion to reunite her with her children, Cox said.

Adams and her children had been living at A Kid's Place, a temporary shelter for foster children near Brandon. The dozen children, ages 6 months to 16 years, will remain together at the facility for the time being. Relatives will be contacted to see if any of the children can live with them.

Adams had been the beneficiary of a lot of government support. Hillsborough Kids Inc., paid a $6,000 rent debt so Adams could qualify for Section 8 housing. The agency then secured the rent-free, two-story, six-bedroom home in Sulphur Springs. Adams' attorney was provided at no charge to her. She doesn't have a job.

Cox had said it was the welfare of the children at stake, in spite of their mom's attitude that the state was not doing enough. "I'm sorry it played out this way," he said. "We tried. We tried very hard. But stupid is as stupid does. Forrest Gump had it right. The mom is the one who blew it. I sleep well."