Jenny Hatch, who is 29 and has Down syndrome, wants to move in with friends and continue the life she had. Her parents want her to remain in a group home, supervised and protected. Her case has pitted her wishes against those of her parents and tests the rights of individuals to choose how they live.
APRIL 2008
Jenny Hatch begins working at Village Thrift.
LATE 2011 TO MARCH 2012
Jenny Hatch is living with a family friend, according to court records.
MARCH 9, 2012
Jenny Hatch gets into a bicycle accident, injuring her back. Police say she veered into the side of a car that honked as it passed her.
MARCH 19, 2012
Jenny Hatch leaves the hospital and moves in with Kelly Morris and Jim Talbert, who own Village thrift, where Jenny works.
Jenny Hatch, with Kelly Morris and Jim Talbert. (Courtesy of Kelly Morris)
MAY 9, 2012
Jenny Hatch leaves the couple’s home and moves into a group home. The couple said the arrangement was supposed to be temporary and was necessary for her to qualify for a Medicaid waiver.
JULY 1, 2012
Jenny Hatch has received a Medicaid waiver that will provide a host of in-home and community-based services.
AUG. 6, 2012
Jenny Hatch returns to live with Kelly Morris and Jim Talbert.
AUG. 8, 2012
Jenny Hatch’s mother, Julia Ross, and stepfather, Richard Ross, file for guardianship.
AUG. 27, 2012
Newport News Circuit Court Judge David F. Pugh places Jenny Hatch under temporary guardianship and she returns to live in a group-home setting, where she has remained.
The room that Kelly Morris, left, and Jim Talbert, right, have offered Jenny Hatch in an effort to support her quest for independence. (Photo by Rich-Joseph Facun/For The Washington Post)
JULY 29, 2013
Jenny Hatch’s legal case is set to resume.
AUG. 2, 2013
A judge declares that Jenny can live the life she wants, rejecting a guardianship request from her parents that would have allowed them to keep her in a group home against her will.
Date: Friday, August 2, 2013
News Source: Washington Post
Authors: Washington Post