PORTLAND — The father of a Portland boy who disappeared four years ago has settled a custody case with a former wife, the last person known to have seen the child alive.
Kyron Horman vanished from school on June 4, 2010, after his stepmother, Terri Horman, brought him there early that day to attend a science fair. The 7-year-old boy never made it to his regular class, but he wasn’t reported missing until later that afternoon when he didn’t return home on the school bus.
A massive search came up empty, and no arrests have been made. Investigators have long focused on Terri Horman, although they have not named her as a suspect.
In a settlement signed Tuesday, Kaine Horman got custody of 5-year-old Kiara Horman, the daughter he had with Terri Horman.
Kaine Horman filed for divorce about a month after Kyron disappeared and obtained a restraining order that prohibited Terri Horman from having parenting time with Kiara, who was 19 months old at the time. The divorce was finalized Dec. 31, 2013.
The custody settlement made public on the fourth anniversary of Kyron’s disappearance allows Terri Horman eventual visits with her daughter. The process begins with the girl’s enrollment in counseling with a developmental specialist who will facilitate the child’s relationship with her mother.
The initial contact between Terri Horman and Kiara will be through an exchange of letters and cards. It will then expand to videoconferencing and supervised visits.
“Preliminary maternal contact shall be relatively short and time limited, progressing on to longer duration as warranted by Kiara’s response,” the agreement states.
The settlement requires Terri Horman to attend parental training and restricts her from going within 150 feet of her ex-husband’s house, gym and workplace.
Kaine Horman’s attorney, Brett Engel, said his client is pleased with the settlement because it protects Kiara.
Terri Horman’s attorney did not return a telephone call seeking comment.
Meanwhile, Desiree Young, Kyron’s biological mother and Kaine Horman’s first wife, said in a Facebook message Wednesday that a private search will be conducted June 20, 21 and 22.
“I will never give up looking for Kyron, I will never stop, and I promise all of my Kyron supporters . I will find my Kyron,” she wrote.
