It bothers me, too. Part of the problem may have been the transfer between the states. No one would want the children to have to stay in Alabama, since they had never lived in the state.
There ARE some Winkler family members in Alabama, so that could've happened, as far as a temporary foster home with family visits, but it didn't.
Oh, it's on Dateline NBC right now. BBL - Here's a brief story from today:
Sheriff talks about transporting Winkler
March 26, 2006, 04:56 PM CST
Members of the church where Matthew Winkler was a preacher held their first Sunday service since his death.
Black ribbons were tied to the doors of Fourth Street Church of Christ in Selmer.
Security was tight outside during services to shield the grieving churchgoers from from the news media.
Meanwhile, Mary Winkler spent her first full night in the McNairy County after being brought back from Alabama where she fled with the couple's three children.
"She's fine. She had no emotion whatsoever," said McNairy County Sheriff Rick Roten about his trip from Orange Beach, Ala., to Selmer with Winkler. "She was quiet, cooperative...didn't ask any questions, didn't talk about anything."
A picture of Matthew Winkler was printed on the cover of Sunday's church program. Those who attended the service would only say that the sermon was about how to grieve.
The family member in Alabama is the children's Great Uncle. The grandparents are well respected and well known in Tennessee and Alabama. It is highly unlikely that they would "coach" the children (as someone said in another post) at all. Their concern now is for well being of their granddaughters first and foremost.