Custody of Kids Becomes Focus in Survivor Murder Case

Bruce Beresford-Redman's parents seek permanent custody of two grandkids; say son wants them to be full-time guardians while he works with Mexican authorities

By Gina Serpe, Lindsay Miller Apr 23, 2010 8:57 PMTags
Bruce Beresford-Redman, Monica Beresford-RedmanFamily Handout

It stands to reason that someone fingered by police as the sole suspect in the murder of his wife may not be the best person to be left in charge of their kids.

Mexican police have yet to arrest former Survivor producer Bruce Beresford-Redman in his wife Monica's death, but there's no denying the case is getting increasingly ugly—and everyone involved, including Bruce himself, wants to give their kids a fighting chance at making it through the situation with a minimum amount of trauma.

As a result, his parents, who already have temporary custody of Camilla and Alex Burgos Beresford-Redman, have stepped up and are asking the court to grant them permanent custody of the now motherless children.

"Monica was killed during a family trip in Mexico," they write in the guardianship papers. "My son and father of the children, Bruce Beresford-Redman, is assisting the Mexican authorities on matters concerning the murder. He is unable to care for the children at the moment."

Or, it would seem given the permanent request, any moment in the future.

"Bruce wishes us to have permanent guardianship over the children," David and Juanita Beresford-Redman write. "We are working together with Bruce to create a stable, loving and wholesome environment for the children.

"It is in the best interest of the children for us to continue guardianship over the children and for the children to continue living in the home they are accustomed."

Though Monica's sisters also originally sought temporary custody of the kids, it was instead granted to their grandparents after Bruce requested they be made temporary guardians. Their maternal grandparents live in Brazil. There has been no comment from that side of the family on the new filing.

"We have known our grandchildren since birth and love them very much," Bruce's parents say in the guardianship papers. "We have financial means to take care of the children.

"We are retired, in good health, and able to devote ourselves to the care and nurture of our grandchildren…we will be able to address questions that arise from our grandchildren and help guide them towards a happy and fruitful future despite the tragic loss of their mother."

Good thing…We're thinking they're going to have quite a few questions.

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