Producer's Parents Want Monitor to Oversee Aunts' Visits With Slain Woman's Children
Bruce and Monica Beresford-Redman
The parents of former "Survivor" producer Bruce Beresford-Redman want a judge to appoint a third party to oversee their grandchildren's visits with their two aunts after the siblings allegedly told one child their father was responsible for their mother's death.
Monica Beresford-Redman's body was found in April in a sewer at the Moon Palace Hotel in Cancun, where she was vacationing with her husband, who is considered a suspect in her slaying, but has not been charged in Mexico.
"They told me daddy was a stupid old man and he killed my mommy," said 5-year-old Camila Beresford-Redman, according to a sworn declaration in support of monitored visitation submitted by the girl's grandmother, Juanita Beresford-Redman.
The girl said both Jeane Burgos and Carla Van Bastelaar, sisters of the late Monica Beresfored-Redman, made the comment, according to the grandmother.
And in his own declaration, Bruce Beresford-Redman says the alleged comments by his sisters-in-law are regrettable.
"I am saddened to say that it appears Carla and Jeane are using the children as pawns in a battle they wish to have with me," he says. "I am no longer comfortable with my children having unmonitored visitation with their maternal aunts."
The producer further says he and his parents have "carefully avoided making any negative comments about the maternal aunts."
In court papers filed in opposition to the monitored visitation, the sisters' attorney, Patricia Phillips, said the request is based "entirely on speculation and unfounded accusations regarding Carla and Jeane."
Before the death of their sibling, both Burgos and Van Bastelaar had "regular and extensive contact" with their niece and nephew, according to Phillips' court papers.
Now, the visits with the girl and her 3-year-old brother, Alec, are limited to several hours a week, according to Phillips' court papers.
On Tuesday, Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Mitchell L. Beckloff delayed ruling on the grandparents' request and set a hearing for Sept. 17.
Juanita Beresford-Redman and her husband, David Beresford-Redman, were previously appointed their temporary guardians. They have opposed any additional visitation time by the aunts.
Beckloff is scheduled to preside over a trial -- set for Nov. 8 -- to decide permanent custody of the children.
