Vancouver Province

Tuesday, August 28, 2001

Judge sends defiant mother back to jail

New bail hearing date set in case of her hidden son

Lora Grindlay
The Province



Andrew Jacome with his mom Jenny in a family photo taken earlier this year.

A woman who has refused to reveal the whereabouts of her son was returned to jail yesterday after yet another adjournment in her bail hearing.

Vilma Jeanette Jacome, 27, is charged with criminal contempt of a family court order requiring her to hand over her five-year-old son Andrew Josiah to his father Marlon Amaya, 27, who has been awarded full custody.

Her bail hearing was adjourned last week at Jacome's request because she wanted to go over documents and yesterday Burnaby Provincial Court Judge David Steinberg granted another adjournment because Jacome has a new lawyer -- her fourth -- who needs to get familiar with the case.

Steinberg, who has already voiced his frustration over previous delays, had words for Jacome again yesterday.

"You must understand . . . I'm not going to let the (hearing) drag on indefinitely," the judge told the accused in setting the continuation for Sept. 10.

Shaking his head, Steinberg said: "This woman's been in jail for two months. Has anybody turned their mind to what must be going through Josiah's mind?"

Steinberg said the boy has gone without his mom for two months and without seeing his dad for a year and a half.

"I wonder what rationalization the child's been given?" Steinberg said.

A warrant has been issued for the arrest of Jacome's mother, Vilma Alvizuris, who police believe is hiding the boy somewhere in the Lower Mainland.

Outside court Amaya said: "I just want this to be over with. I just want to see my son. If she cares so much about my son why is she doing this?"

Jacome is being supported by Kari Simpson of the Citizens Research Institute who was at court yesterday.