Tennessee Supreme Court Rules in Anna Mae He Custody Battle
Custody Given to Jack and Casey He
By Wendy King

January 27, 2007
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After a long court battle, Jack and Casey He were awarded custody of Anna Mae He on January 23, 2007
by the Tennessee Supreme Court. This has been a highly publicized custody battle that has lasted for more than six years.

Jack and Casey He first gave temporary custody of their daughter, Anna Mae, to Jerry and Louise Baker on February 24, 1999. She was just a few weeks old at the time. The Bakers were to have custody of Anna Mae for ninety days in a sort of foster care agreement. However, the He's agreed to allow the Bakers to continue to offer foster care for Anna Mae in April 1999. On June 4th of that same year, custody of the young child was transferred to the Bakers.
Almost a year later, in May of 2000, the He's filed a petition to have their daughter, Anna Mae returned to them. This petition was denied due to lack of income and pending criminal charges against Jack He for sexual battery.

On February 21, 2002, Jack He was acquitted of the sexual battery charges. Later that same year the He's would visit their daughter for the first time in three years.

Almost two years after the acquittal of the sexual battery charges against Jack He, there was a custody trial. On May 12, 2004, Judge Robert Childers (Memphis, TN Circuit Court judge) terminated the He's parental rights. Full custody of Anna Mae He was awarded to Jerry and Louise Baker. The He's appealed the hearing and in November 2005, the courts upheld the decision to terminate their parental rights.

In October 2006, the Tennessee Supreme Court began to hear arguments in an appeal filed by the He's. On January 23, 2007, the Tennessee Supreme Court ruled that Anna Mae He be returned to the custody of her biological parents, Jack and Casey He.

So, what does all of this mean for little Anna Mae (who will 8yrs old on Sunday)? The Bakers must turn over custody of Anna Mae to the He's. This will be arranged through the Memphis Juvenile Court system. The He's plan to take Anna Mae back to their native country, China. They have stated that they would like for the Bakers to remain part of Anna Mae's life.

The only way the Bakers can appeal the decision is to take it before the U.S. Supreme Court. They have ninety days to file an appeal. At this time, there are no plans for such an appeal.


The case above is very similar to what I am currently going through at this time. I have been battling a so-called Christian family that wants to my daughter. In my stupidity around the time I dedicating my life to Christ I gave them a temporary guardianship. The guardianship was private and was so I could get back on my feet. At the time, I had fled from her father and not one agency or shelter would assist me--- I was homeless with my daughter who was then just a toddler. No one believes that I am telling the truth and no one cares. ( well some do-- but it seems not enough)The nightmare this family has put me through is undeniably horrible. This family has never been held accountabke--- they have defamed my name, destroyed chances for employment, and deliberately drawn out an intended 6 month period to 7 year period. The court case is currently unconstitutional but because I have no finances I can not get an attorney. The case is such a mess that not even Pro Bono will touch it.

I am seriosuly praying about going public about this case and advocating a law that families that deliberately pray upon the poor and helpless should be charged for attempted kidnapping. As in my opinion it is a clever form of kidnapping. Further, this family also did this to another girl--- and I believe that if this case is not shut down and me and daughter left alone that they will do so again to some other single mother.

However what I really need is a really good lawyer or agency. So far not even the so-called Christian agencies will help both local and national.

I am really at my wits end-- so I am just asking everyone pray as I place this whole situation at the Lord's feet-- this case above and there is one other that was also high profile- both favor my postion. Just so people on this forum know, my daughter does live with me. I have had enough with this family though and the weird thing is they live in another state.

"Father God I stand in the gap with Laurel for 1 like Deborah.."

God Bless <><

1like Deb...I've seen this happen a number of times and twice in my own church. It was a nightmare.

The poor mother finally found sympathy in a decent lawyer. She rounded up character witnesses and fought tooth and nail. She finally won but it took about five heart breaking years. Her youngest had developed and odd type of cancer during the fight which compounded the problem. There was a lot of prayer that went up.

Get friends that will listen and advise. There's wisdom in the counsel of many. Having a home church is important.

When the enemy sinks his teeth into these issues it's hard to pry him off. The mother in the above case stayed in the Lord and got counsel for bitterness..anger..and unforgiveness. It paid off.

It does seem a lot of this is going on. I do have my Pastor and his wife supporting me in this case and family. You are right about seeking counseling for bitterness and unforgiveness--- this is a very difficult thing and only through God's grace it can be done. The more difficult thing is that in law you have to bring all issues up---and this requires dealing with any deceit and actions of other parties.

I do have character witness's but the court refuses to allow them to testify. The GAL is biased and they did handwrite affdavits but she never submitted them to the court. My daughter also was

I am glad your friend was able to find a kind attorney to help--- but that is what I do not have. There is not a one that will help yet--- all want $$$ and I do not have that. The Pro Bono programs in my state are either overloaded or a joke... and not a funny one--- all you get is " we dont do these kinds of cases call legal assistance" even though their websites say they do.

Then you call legal assistance and they give you the same thing "we dont do these cases call Pro Bono"--- when you tell them that you already called Pro Bono--- you get call "the bar association they have a low income program"--- when you call the bar association about their bullcrap(excuse me) low income program they tell you "you are too poor for our low income program call Pro Bono". Any way they never help just give you runnaround for years.

Laurel you really are perceptive--- she has older children from a previous abusive(supposedly) marriage. Since remarriage she claims she can not have any more children. I do think that this is why she preys on young woman because she wants a baby real bad... but still inexcusable. Being a mom and an adopted child myself I can understand--- but my family never stole me they went through proper channells when God told and had them pick out the right one.

My stepson is going through a similar custody battle, but nothing about sexual battery involved in either side.

Much ..Love and prayers for you and Annie Mae in this most difficult situation! I had a friend who lost two children and prayed & prayed for over 20 years. Finally, the daughter married, has children and is now a red-hot Christian and praying and standing in the gap for the rest of the family. God answers prayer; and even when the parents aren't there....they are still God's umbrella over that child.

She told me that when it first happened, the only thing she could do to keep her sanity was to read and or listen to the Word. The Word would

We serve a miracle working God. Father, I ask that you bring perfect justice in this case. Bring hope to ILikeDeborah that she currently lacks. I ask that your peace and love envelope her as you work this to her good. I ask this in Jesus' name, amen.

Please continue to pray as the school is now writing reports filled with lies because I went to the Superintendent and the State Department of Education. They actually wrote out a totally fictitious horrible report slandering my little 7 year old girl.

I'm still praying.