'Prodigy' custody talks begin

Justin is likely to go to grandparents if mom fails to show she can care for boy

Julie Poppen, News Staff Writer

Published April 13, 2002 at midnight

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If Elizabeth Chapman fails to show she can care for her son Justin, custody of the 8-year-old -- who made headlines as a prodigy before his mother admitted to fabricating many of his feats -- will likely go to his grandparents.

In a closed court hearing Friday in Broomfield, George and Jane Chapman were named "interested parties" in the dependency and neglect case, said Jennifer Hoffman, director of court services. That means the New York couple will be notified of future hearings and developments, can file pleadings and can have an attorney present.

Justin was hospitalized Nov. 18 for an apparent suicide attempt, and Broomfield County removed the boy from his mother's care. Chapman had moved with Justin from New York to Broomfield last summer.

Justin, whose troubled life was profiled in "Boy Genius," a February Rocky Mountain News special report, remains in foster care.

Also Friday, Justin's father, James Maurer of Raleigh, N.C., admitted to creating an "injurious environment" for his son. Maurer was named in the original Nov. 28 neglect complaint even though he has had little interaction with the boy, aside from paying child support.

Maurer, a night security guard, could not be reached for comment.

Jason Carrithers, a paralegal with the Rocky Mountain Children's Law Center, said most people facing a neglect charge file an admission rather than face a potentially costly trial.

Elizabeth Chapman admitted in court last month to creating an injurious environment for Justin.

Chapman, 30, and her attorney evaded the media at the courthouse Friday.

Another hearing will be held May 10 to assess Chapman's progress on a treatment plan, which could involve home visits with her son.

Chapman recently admitted she copied the SAT score report of a neighbor's son, attributing that perfect 800 math score to her then 6-year-old son. She also admitted fabricating IQ test results when Justin was 3 that portrayed him as profoundly gifted.

She also said she and her son studied an IQ test booklet before the child took an IQ test in April 2000 through the Gifted Development Center in Denver. On that test, Justin scored the highest IQ score ever recorded -- 298-plus.

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