Arrow-right Camera
The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Judge: Oregon couple with low IQs can parent both their boys

Associated Press

PORTLAND – A judge has reunited an Oregon family despite state concerns that the parents are intellectually incapable of caring for their children.

The Oregonian/OregonLive reported that Deschutes County Judge Bethany Flint determined there wasn’t enough evidence to show Amy Fabbrini and Eric Ziegler couldn’t safely parent.

Thursday’s decision about the couple’s 4-year-old son came three weeks after Flint ordered the Redmond couple’s 10-month-old son returned to them.

Both boys have spent most of their lives in foster care. No abuse had been alleged, but Fabbrini’s family raised concerns to the Oregon Department of Human Services about the couple’s parenting abilities.

Fabbrini’s IQ has tested at 72, Ziegler’s at 66. The average IQ falls between 90 and 110.

Both have taken parenting, nutrition and CPR classes in attempts to prove their fitness.