Two boys, allegedly imprisoned, to stay in state care

Two autistic boys who were allegedly kept locked up in a caged room will stay in foster care, a Clark County court commissioner ruled this morning.

Clark County Superior Court Commissioner Carin Schienberg was deciding whether to move the two boys, ages 6 and 7, out of state care.

The boys’ biological mother, Jona Bronson, lives in Tillamook, Ore., and is seeking longterm custody. She has been allowed visitation; the boys father, John Eckhart, has not, as he has a no-contact order in place in connection to his criminal case.

Assistant Attorney General Dana Gigler told the commissioner that there has been “no substantial change” warranting a shift in care. Currently, the boys are staying in foster homes in Clark County.

Schienberg set another review hearing for June 7. At that time, she will also set a trial date to decide permanent custody.

Eckhart and his live-in girlfriend, Alayna Higdon, were arrested last month after Vancouver police discovered they were allegedly keeping their sons in a dark, mostly empty room. The boys were still in diapers, not enrolled in school and couldn’t speak, police said.

Eckhart and Higdon, who are both free on bail, are charged with unlawful imprisonment.

For a full story, read Wednesday’s Columbian.