Court orders removal of King children after department petition; deputies cite cold, unsafe living conditions

A Lenawee County judge ordered the removal of four children from the custody of Dustin King after the county Department of Health and Human Services filed a petition alleging domestic incidents and unsafe living conditions, testimony at a bench trial shows.

The department’s ongoing worker, Christopher Farian, told the court the petition was filed “based off of the cumulative things and then the last domestic violence incident that took place.” The department later sought and received a court order for removal; county deputies executed custody actions and the children were placed into foster care or with relatives, witnesses said.

Deputy Rincon of the Lenawee County Sheriff’s Office testified that officers responded to 10520 Hickory on Nov. 21, 2024, for a domestic-assault call. He said two young children came to the front of the home “without coats…