Mary Winkler Gets Daughters Back
FOX13 has learned that Mary Winkler has gotten her three daughters back. Winkler picked up her children Friday afternoon. The girls had been living with their paternal grandparents since Winkler killed her husband Matthew in 2006. Now it appears the bitter custody battle is coming to a close.
As soon as Winkler’s criminal trial ended, the custody battle began. But Friday, in an unexpected turn of events, she regained physical custody of her three children.
[…]Winkler lost custody in 2006 when she was charged with the murder of her preacher husband Matthew Winkler.
Winkler was convicted of manslaughter in 2007 and has been fighting for custody of her children since her release from a mental facility.
Matthew’s parents, Dan and Diane Winkler, have had custody of the girls since 2006 and have been trying to adopt them.
“These young ladies have not expressed any desire to be with their mother or her family,” said Dan Winkler in 2007.
The Winkler’s filed appeals in an effort to stop Mary Winkler from having supervised visits and phone calls with her daughter.
But now, a source said they have turned over custody to the girls’ mother.
This is being called the first step to full custody, although no official court order has been filed.
It’s unclear why the Winkler’s suddenly turned over custody of the girls.
Attorneys for both Mary Winkler and the girls’ grandparents refused to comment.