Grandparents of 'prodigy' say they were duped, too

Julie Poppen, News Staff Writer

Published March 6, 2002 at midnight

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The grandparents of Justin Chapman, the troubled 8-year-old profiled in "Boy Genius," a Rocky Mountain News special report, said they, too, were duped by claims about their grandson's prodigy.

"For a while we were somewhat skeptical," George Chapman said in an interview on Good Morning America Tuesday, about Justin's purported intellectual feats. "(But) we were being fooled like anybody else."

Justin's mother, Elizabeth Chapman, admitted last week that she had falsified or altered documents that supported her claims about her son's genius. Broomfield police are investigating whether those fraudulent claims constitute a crime, Sgt. Dan Schuler said.

Chapman acknowledged, for example, that she had helped her son cram with an exam booklet for an IQ test administered by Linda Silverman of the Gifted Development Center in Denver. The resulting score of 298 was the highest ever recorded.

George Chapman, 50, an electrical engineer and computer programmer for Rochester Gas & Electric, in New York, said his daughter, Elizabeth Chapman, has dealt with behavioral issues "through her life."

The couple is pursuing custody of Justin, who was removed from his mother's care in November and remains in foster care. Broomfield officials have charged her with neglect.

George Chapman said he noticed his grandson's emotional state deteriorating during an October visit to Colorado.

"He was totally isolated in Colorado," Chapman said.

Jane Chapman, 50, said she would like to see her grandson "live a life of normalcy." She said on the TV show that she hoped Elizabeth Chapman and Justin could get help.

Elizabeth Chapman, 29, has acknowledged a rift with her parents but recently said she has asked a pastor to help mediate between them.

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