Justice has finally been served!

James David Higbee was found guilty on both charges pertaining to the assault on my son more then 3 long years ago. We have purposely been vague about what happened until the trial was over and now that it is, there is no need.

On my son Devin's first birthday we spent a beautiful day at Disneyland, we had a blast! I would say that was one of the best days of my life and most definitely the worst. The relationship I had with James at the time was tense to say the least, and less than a week prior I had served him with custody papers. Since then James had come to my house multiple times screaming at me so he had not seen his son until the night of his birthday when I finally relented. Less then 45 min after Devin was dropped off 911 was called for a possible asthma attack (devin doesn't have asthma) and when they got him to the hospital they found 2 skull fractures. No one saw what happened and James never admitted anything but the jury today found him guilty of abusing his son and causing his injuries. This is a day we have all waited for, for 3 years. It still seems surreal but finally justice has been served.

I'm not sure the exact wording of the charges but count 1 was assault on a child under the age of 8 resulting in a comatose or paralytic condition which from what I've been told results in a sentence of 25 years to life. Count 2 is child abuse, neglect or endangerment. Sentencing will be December 16th and that is when we will find out the extent of his prison term.

This is where I say thank you! Thank to all of the family and friends who have come day after day to court to support our little boy. Thank to those of you praying for us, it's gotten us through the medical ups and downs, the emotion ups and downs, and has brought us peace now knowing this monster is locked up. I also want to thank all the jurors for seeing the truth behind the lies and sticking through this very long month. Lastly I want to thank our wonderful lord and savior above for making all this possible!

Glory be to God,
Katy & Devin

Trial: Day 17 (4th Week) Closing statements

Wow I'm a little speechless. These last 4 weeks have been grueling to say the least but there is finally an end in sight. Friday was the closing arguments and the way it goes is the prosecution starts then the defense gets their chance and finally the prosecution gets to go again and have the final word. I think I can speak for everyone in attendance (at least on our side) and say that we experienced every emotion in the book. We giggled and rolled ours eyes at the way they tried to twist our words we got angry at him at times as well as angry at the defendant for doing this to our miracle boy. We cried with sadness over what Devin had to endure (and continues to endure) as well as cry with joy when the D.A. brought it home when she ended strongly.

As much happiness we have that this step is done, we ask for prayer once again for the jury.  They were overwhelmed this month with so much information and I just plead with God that they can see the truth in all of it. They hold the future of my sons life and safety in their hands. I just keep hoping they fully understand the enormity of the job they have and take it very seriously and consider everything. I also pray that after this is all over completely that they are able to move on and not be affected negatively in their on lives by what they have seen and heard.

Thank you all from the bottom of my heart for going through this with us, whether it was physically being in the court room or just keeping my family in your prayers. God has been glorified through this horrendous act and we will keep on glorifying him for his continued work in our lives. As the D.A. said yesterday this boy's life was circling the drain and I believe that Devin is only still with us by the grace of our holy God above.

Katy Adams

Trial: Day 16 (4th week)

The defendant was on the stand until lunch break and then Devins doctor was on after. I didn't end up having to take the stand again(thank goodness) and the testimony portion of the trial is now OVER!!!

Closing statements are supposed to take the greater part of tomorrow and then it's all up to the jury. I ask for prayer for the district attorney to present a great closing argument as well as for the jury to see the truth in all of this. Thank you to everyone who has gone through this with us whether it be in person or through prayer. We appreciate the support we have received more then you all could ever know!

Closing statements begin at 9:00 a.m. tomorrow at Pomona courthouse (400 Civic Center Plaza #101 Pomona, CA) floor 5 department L. If anyone does want to come to the trial and watch please do not post any details on fb or any other social media site. Also while in the hallway in front of the courtroom do not talk about the case at all, this is a biggie, the jury is standing among you basically.

Trial: Day 15 (4th week)

Today the only two on the stand were the defendant and one of Devin's doctors, and they are not done with either of them. Both will be back on the stand tomorrow and then maybe me if they finish. 

Tomorrow(Thursday) the trial starts at 9:00 a.m. at Pomona courthouse (400 Civic Center Plaza #101 Pomona, CA) floor 5 department L. If anyone does want to come to the trial and watch please do not post any details on fb or any other social media site. Also while in the hallway in front of the courtroom do not talk about the case at all, this is a biggie, the jury is standing among you basically.

Katy

Trial: Day's 13 and 14 (4 week)

Sorry for the delay but I will start off with last Friday's court day. It was the defenses turn to call witnesses and so they put on their two expert doctors. Who have never met Devin in person and who are being paid to support the defenses claims. All I hear is that our wonderful district attorney was able to put what they were saying in context and strip away a little bit of the doctors credibility hooray!

At yesterday's  precedings I was told that our amazing Dr. Sadanand took the stand again and was able to strip just a little bit more of the defenses experts credibility. Then to everyone's surprise (but mine) the defendant actually took the stand in his own defense. Part of me wishes I knew more about that crazy man said but part of me is glad I don't. I probably would have been sick hearing him talk about "his son" and how much he supposedly loves him. Makes me sick just thinking about it.

Well tomorrow the defendant will finish up his time on the stand. Tentatively he will be followed by another one of Devins doctors and then there is a possibility I will have to take the stand again ugh.

We need prayers more then ever this week, this whole ordeal is really bringing us down. Things are starting to wind down a little and closing statements may be as soon as Thursday! I just keep praying the the jury see's through all the rehearsed stories and sees the truth in everyone's hearts. There is only one family this boy belongs with and that it with me and Devin's loving grandparents.

Tomorrow(Wednesday) the trial starts at 9:00 a.m. at Pomona courthouse (400 Civic Center Plaza #101 Pomona, CA) floor 5 department L. If anyone does want to come to the trial and watch please do not post any details on fb or any other social media site. Also while in the hallway in front of the courtroom do not talk about the case at all, this is a biggie, the jury is standing among you basically.

Katy

Trial: Day 12 (3rd week)

The defense started today with one of their two "experts" as well as a private investigator. I haven't been told anything other then it was still a good day for us. Don't know who is on tomorrow, maybe the other "expert" and then possibly closing statements soon? Anyways... I am just so ready for this to be over!

Tomorrow(Friday) the trial starts at 9:30a.m. at Pomona courthouse (400 Civic Center Plaza #101 Pomona, CA) floor 5 department L. If anyone does want to come to the trial and watch please do not post any details on fb or any other social media site. Also while in the hallway in front of the courtroom do not talk about the case at all, this is a biggie, the jury is standing among you basically.

Katy

Trial: Day 11 (3rd week)

Well the prosecution has rested after another long day of testimony from the forensic pediatrician. They put me back on the stand for maybe 30 mins to clarify some errors that the defendants family and friends have apparently told. Thursday and Friday the defense will be putting on their experts or as I loving call them the liars for hire:) Hopefully things will start wrapping up here pretty soon, there will be court this friday but no court on Tuesday.

Tomorrow(Thursday) the trial starts at 9a.m. at Pomona courthouse (400 Civic Center Plaza #101 Pomona, CA) floor 5 department L. If anyone does want to come to the trial and watch please do not post any details on fb or any other social media site. Also while in the hallway in front of the courtroom do not talk about the case at all, this is a biggie, the jury is standing among you basically.

Katy

Trial: Day 10 (3rd week)

Well this is just a quick update. The forensic pediatirician was again on most of the day and I have heard he is utterly fascinating. Also on the stand today was Devin's pediatrician that we have had since he was just a tiny baby.

Tomorrow(Wednesday) the forensic pediatrician will be finishing up and then I am once again being called after lunch at 1:30. The trial starts at 10 a.m. at Pomona courthouse (400 Civic Center Plaza #101 Pomona, CA) floor 5 department L. If anyone does want to come to the trial and watch please do not post any details on fb or any other social media site. Also while in the hallway in front of the courtroom do not talk about the case at all, this is a biggie, the jury is standing among you basically.

I have asked this numerous times before but please keep me and my whole family in your prayers. As you can probably understand this is a very trying time for all of us. Also please keep me in your prayers tomorrow specifically, that I will remain clear headed and speak the truth. I pray this is the last time I have to get up there and that this whole thing will be over soon!

With all the gratefulness and love in this world,
Katy

Trial: Day 9 (3rd week)

Our "star" witnesses were on the stand today! Oh how I wish I could have been a fly on the wall when those 2 doctors explained what had to have happened as well as their predictions for Devin's progress. One of the doctors has been around since the first day in the hospital and has performed 4 out of Devin's 6 skull surgeries(so obviously we love him) the other doctor works with Loma linda and is a Forensic Pediatrician who specializes in child abuse(I read this online). Honestly from what I've been told this doctor sounds fascinating and Im almost 99.9% sure I've never even met him. Ive heard and read his name countless times and I so wish I could be there to meet him and thank him for taking the time to come out to help us get justice for Devin. Devin can't speak for himself yet so we his family, friends, doctors and teachers need to stand up and and give this beautiful boy a voice.

Tomorrow(Tuesday) the trial starts with(tentatively) the forensic pediatrtion followed by Devin's general Pediatrician at 10 a.m. at Pomona courthouse (400 Civic Center Plaza #101 Pomona, CA) floor 5 department L. If anyone does want to come to the trial and watch please do not post any details on fb or any other social media site. Also while in the hallway in front of the courtroom do not talk about the case at all, this is a biggie, the jury is standing among you basically.

Katy

I am testifying again in the next two days to clarify and maybe rebuff some claims about me. Please continue your prayers for our family but more than anything else pray for peace and truth!

Trial: Day 8 (2nd week)

Friday's court day the defense called a few witnesses including the defendants mom, a paramedic and our detective, and our detective still said it went well. 

The 3rd week starts Monday at 9:30 a.m. at Pomona courthouse (400 Civic Center Plaza #101 Pomona, CA) floor 5 department L. If anyone does want to come to the trial and watch please do not post any details on fb or any other social media site. Also while in the hallway in front of the courtroom do not talk about the case at all, this is a biggie, the jury is standing among you basically.

Katy

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!!

We had a fun night spent with neighbors eating pizza, chili, and hot dogs. I wouldn't trade the street we live on for anything, they know how to celebrate the right way! Here's a few photos of our dear little Olaf:)

Trial: Day 7 (2nd week)

COURT IS IN SESSION TOMORROW!

I so wish I had more to report but unfortunately I cannot be there when anyone else is testifying. All I know is who testified which included one of the first responders, some medical personnel from the first hospital he was at and the detective on the case. All I've been told really are that the puzzle pieces are coming together and the case is being well built against the defendant. Sounds good to me!

Tomorrow there is court and we were all surprised by this, the defense will start calling witnesses because the prosecutions "star" witnesses can't be there until Monday and Tuesday. It will be starting at 9:30 a.m. at Pomona courthouse (400 Civic Center Plaza #101 Pomona, CA) floor 5 department L. If anyone does want to come to the trial and watch please do not post any details on fb or any other social media site. Also while in the hallway in front of the courtroom do not talk about the case at all, this is a biggie, the jury is standing among you basically.

Katy

Trial: Day 6 (2nd week)

Not too much to report today other then that the engineer who did experiments pertaining to our case was on the stand most of the day. I think more doctors will be testifying tomorrow and on Monday.

Tomorrow begins at 9:30 a.m. at Pomona courthouse (400 Civic Center Plaza #101 Pomona, CA) floor 5 department L. If anyone does want to come to the trial and watch please do not post any details on fb or any other social media site. Also while in the hallway in front of the courtroom do not talk about the case at all, this is a biggie, the jury is standing among you basically.

Katy

Oh and on a happier note I took Devin to our church's trunk or treat tonight and he made the cutest Olaf! Wasn't too interested in the games or candy he just wanted to sit on a curb and pull the leaves off a bush lol. I love this kid!!!

Trial: Day 5 (2nd week)

Unfortunately there is not much of an update tonight other then to say that there was a myriad of people on the stand today: an ex-girlfriend of the defendant, my father, a representative of disneyland, defendants mother and step-father. I'm not sure who is on the stand tomorrow but God has given me peace with the process. Please just continue to pray for the truth to come out and justice for Devin.

Tomorrow begins at 9:00 a.m. again at Pomona courthouse (400 Civic Center Plaza #101 Pomona, CA) floor 5 department L. If anyone does want to come to the trial and watch please do not post any details on fb or any other social media site. Also while in the hallway in front of the courtroom do not talk about the case at all, this is a biggie, the jury is standing among you basically.

Katy

Trial: Day 4 (2nd week)

We hope everyone had a wonderful weekend! Today started off with me on the stand(again) but I was finally dismissed. That doesn't mean that I won't take the stand at a later time but they are done with me for now. THANK YOU LORD ABOVE! Im just going to go on a little tangent and say that this is the hardest thing I have been through next to Devin's medical issues. The only way I've been able to go on is the support we have seen from family and friends as well as the peace that God has given to me when HE knows I need it the most. Today for example I prayed out loud the entire car ride to the courthouse, I asked for the truth to pour from my lips, I asked for peace to replace my anxiety and above all else to speak on behalf of my beautiful, perfect son since he cannot do it for himself. During one particularly stressful part, a sidebar was taken and I was sitting in the witness stand praying fervently and I asked the lord to hold my hand and guide me. I didn't physically feel his hand but he was in me and with me. Without the Lord in my life I would have just fallen apart, but with him I am so much stronger then I ever believed I was.

After lunch I was back on the stand for an hour maybe, and then it was my momma's turn. Both sides finished with her in about 2 hours so she is done for now as well. Like I've said before we do not talk details but I did ask her how she felt and she felt strong about how she did.

Tomorrow begins at 9:00 a.m Pomona courthouse (400 Civic Center Plaza #101 Pomona, CA) floor 5 department L. If anyone does want to come to the trial and watch please do not post any details on fb or any other social media site. Also while in the hallway in front of the courtroom do not talk about the case at all, this is a biggie, the jury is standing among you basically.

As far as who is testifying tomorrow there is an ex girlfriend of the defendant as well as my father.

Lots of love!!
Katy

Trial: Day 3

I know everyone is chomping at the bit for some information and I really wish I could give more. The last thing in the world we want is a mistrial and have to start all over again. With this said if anyone does want to come to the trial and watch please do not post any details on fb or any other social media site. Also while in the hallway in front of the courtroom do not talk about the case at all, this is a biggie, the jury is standing among you basically.

On to day 3, the doctor ended up being on the stand the whole day so they did not get to me again. It's killing me not to be able to hear what the doctor was saying or even be able to hear it second hand. All I have been told is it was fascinating, informative and incredibly engaging. Ugh! I am most definitely going to be requesting the transcripts when this is all over.

As most of you know the courtroom is "dark" on Fridays so our next day of testimony will be on Monday. It begins at 9:30 a.m Pomona courthouse (400 Civic Center Plaza #101 Pomona, CA) floor 5 department L.

Love to you all!
Katy

Trial: Day 2

Wow am I exhausted, I spent the entire day on the stand testifying and I'm still not done. Unfortunately I can't give you any details but I can say that that I feel like my head was put in a blender. I left feeling accomplished though! The Defense tried to trip me up and confuse me but its not easy to confuse someone who has only been saying the truth for 3 years.

Tomorrow it picks up again at 10 a.m. on the 5th floor department L. One of the doctors will be testifying and if they finish with him I will be called again. If not I will be back on the stand monday.

Thank you to all the people that came today to support us, it was wonderful being able to look back and see smiling faces encouraging me. For those of you who can't make it to any of the trial days please continue praying for truth and peace and justice for Devin.

Love to you all!
Katy

“When you are brought before synagogues, rulers and authorities, do not worry about how you will defend yourselves or what you will say, for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what you should say.” -Luke 12:11-12

The end is in sight

Yesterday began the slow process of finding a jury that could stick around for 3 weeks and today everything officially started. After opening statements I spent over an hour on the stand and i'm due back in court tomorrow at 10 to resume my testimony. Totally nerve wracking! Thank you for all of the prayers and please keep them coming!

Katy

If anyone is interested in coming and sitting in the gallery, it picks up again tomorrow at 10 a.m. at the Pomona courthouse, 5th floor department L.

One more day… Hopefully!

The jury is scheduled to be picked tomorrow but there is still a chance that it will be postponed again. I've been warned that there are a bunch of cases that are set to begin tomorrow as well so we may not get a courtroom. Please keep our family in your prayers, we are desperate for this to start so it can be over. Three years is long enough!!!! We will try to keep everyone up to date on what is going on and if anyone has the time to come watch the trial and support our family we would definitely appreciate it.

Katy

Here are some pictures of my little stud from his 4th birthday (Sept. 27th) which was also the 3rd anniversary of his assault. The 2nd to last one is my favorite:) When did he get so big?

I thought this would be it.

I just got word from the district attorney that the trial was postponed till September 11th. I am so beyond frustrated and angered by the constantly shifting dates. We are the victims of a horrendous crime and yet we are not considered in the least. This September 27th will be Devin's 4th birthday as well as the 3rd anniversary of the day our lives turned upside down. Please keep our family in your prayers as well as the Detective, District Attorney, Judge and future Jury. All we want is justice for Devin and for his attacker (biological father) to face up to what he did. We have tried to remain so upbeat on this blog, but today I am nowhere near upbeat:(

Katy

Just a quick video of Devin Playing:)

WE ARE BACK!

    I know everyone is as eager as we are for this whole ordeal to be over. We are finally seeing some end in sight....woohoo! After 2 years and 10 months of postponements to the trial the Judge only gave them a one week delay and a new trial date of July 17th. Of course since that is a Thursday i'm thinking that the actual trial will get started the following week since it takes a while for the jury to be picked.
    This blog will be the place to keep updated about the goings on throughout the trial. Unfortunately since my parents and I are subpoenaed to testify we can only be in the court room when we are on the stand. So we will have some family members as well as friends who will be there taking notes on what happens each day. When we know more information about the exact days, time and court room we will let you know so if you would like to attend and support our family you can.

    Thank you all for your continued thoughts and prayers as we continue to find justice for Devin.

Katy