Court Looks at Fate of Children in Cameron Park Slaying of their Mom

Who should take care of the Winkler children?

Proceedings began Thursday inside an El Dorado County courtroom to decide that wrenching question.

Should the three young children stay with their maternal grandfather, Napa artist Don Hatfield, with whom they have lived since their father stabbed their mother to death in late February in their Cameron Park home?

Or should Eva, 5, Ariel, 4, and Alex, 10 months, be sent to live with their father's parents, Janeth and George Winkler, a social worker and a retired farmer who live in a small town in Iowa?

Hatfield and Janeth Winkler both appeared in court Thursday in one of the first steps toward deciding the children's fates.

Ultimately a judge will rule, based on investigations of the homes and lives of Hatfield and the Winklers, where the children will stay as their father's criminal case moves forward.

Todd Winkler, 45, has been charged with murder in the stabbing death of his 37-year-old wife, Rachel, on Feb. 27 inside their home near Cameron Air Park.

Prosecutors contend that he killed her in a fit of rage during an argument. But ...

Read more here: http://www.sacbee.com/2012/04/06/4395075/court-looks-at-fate-of-children.html

Related Stories:

Todd Winkler facing murder charges in Cameron Park woman's death
http://www.inedc.com/1-111

Fund set up to benefit slain Cameron Park mom's three young kids
http://www.inedc.com/1-178