Local

Judge to award permanent custody in Parsons' case in Jan.

ROWAN COUNTY, N.C. — A judge will award permanent custody of Casey and Sandy Parsons' two youngest children in January.
Late Wednesday afternoon, the juvenile court judge ruled the children would remain in the current temporary custody situation through the holidays while she makes her decision.

The ruling came after days of testimony from family members, DSS workers and investigators in a bitter custody dispute between DSS and the Parsons.

DSS removed the Parsons two youngest children from their Salisbury home in August, after a missing persons report was filed for their adoptive sister, Erica.

Erica Parsons disappeared two years ago, but it was only in late July that her adoptive brother Jamie filed a missing persons report with the Rowan County Sheriff's Office.

Tensions were high during Wednesday's court proceedings as Sandy Parsons gave news crews an obscene gesture and told them, "This will be over when hell freezes over."

Other family members told Channel 9 they are relieved the children will temporarily remain in their care.

"I just want what's best for them, and I do think that would be with me, and my daughter," said grandmother Shirley Stone.

For complete coverage of the Erica Parsons case, click here.