Grandmother of kids who lost mom in fire opposes man's early release

PORTAGE | The mother of a young woman who died in a house fire in December is resisting an attempt by her daughter's former boyfriend to leave prison early to take custody of two children he claims are his own.

"He's just trying to use her daughter's death to get out of jail early," the children's great-aunt Michelle Yates said on behalf of Portage resident Maria Jones, who is the maternal grandmother caring for the children.

James Collins, who claims to be the biological father of the two children left behind by Jennifer Teel, has asked Porter Superior Court Judge David Chidester to consider modifying the six-year prison term he was given after pleading guilty to battering Teel.

Teel was reportedly pregnant at the time of the Sept. 19, 2010, beating in Portage and was holding her then-1-year-old son while repeatedly being punched by Collins. Police, who found Teel bleeding profusely from the face, said the young woman had dated Collins for eight years but had recently ended the relationship.

Collins argues in his request for sentence modification that Teel described him during the sentencing hearing as "a fit and proper parent and actively involved in both the financial and emotional support of the children."

However, Yates said Jones worked two jobs in order to provide Teel and the children with food, clothing and diapers. Jones hopes to retain guardianship of the children.

Jones is not convinced Collins is the father of the children and is seeking DNA testing, Yates said.

Jones, who works for Portage Township Schools, has temporary guardianship of the children and will return to court March 21 to seek full guardianship, Yates said.

Chidester is scheduled to hear Collins' request for modification at 1:30 p.m. Feb. 22.

Teel died of smoke inhalation and severe burns Dec. 10 in a fire that quickly swept through her house at 2260 Wayne St. Investigators have ruled out foul play.

Firefighters were able to rescue her two boys, Andrew Collins, 3, and Landon Teel, 1.