Thursday, March 28, 2024

Judge okays CPS home studies for Pautenis relatives

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Confessed killer Ed Pautenis was in court Friday when District Judge Ralph Walton authorized home studies on two of Pautenis’ sisters to determine whether either should have custody of their brother’s two young children.

The youngsters, a boy, 7, and a girl, 5, are believed to have witnessed the shooting of their mother, Jennifer Pautenis, at the hands of their father.

According to courtroom testimony, the boy drew a stick-figure drawing of his mother near a doorway with another figure above her as if ascending to Heaven. Authorities are unclear as to whether the child drew his mother walking out a door or lying near a door.

Figures representing the boy, his sister and their father were also in the drawing. The figure representing Ed Pautenis appeared to have objects in both hands but in reference to one hand, the boy said, “Dad’s arm is bleeding,” according to the testimony of a CPS caseworker.

The caseworker said that the children were in the living room when there mother was reportedly shot and killed.

Jennifer Pautenis, 29, was reported missing on Sunday, Oct. 20. Remains found last week are believed to be hers.

After his arrest, Pautenis told a WFAA crew that he shot his wife multiple times with three different guns.

For weeks, Pautenis, 59, maintained that his wife left their Nassau Bay II home with another man as he was putting their children to bed.

Pautenis was silent during his appearance in the courtroom. He was represented in the CPS matter by attorney Lori Kaspar.

One of Pautenis’ sisters lives out of state. Another sister, Sophia Struder, lives in Hood County with her husband, David. Struder is represented in her attempts to get custody of her niece and nephew by attorney Kellye SoRelle.

In an affidavit, Struder stated that she and her husband had provided various means of support to the financially struggling Pautenis family, maintained a “warm” and “loving” relationship with the Pautenis children and cooperated fully with law enforcement and Texas Family and Protective Services.

Per Walton’s ruling, CPS has temporary managing conservatorship and the children will have no visitations with their father.

kcruz@hcnews.com | 817-573-7066, ext. 258