Two other children in the Altom home remain in foster care

The two surviving children from the home of Michael and Emily Altom are in foster care as their parents fight criminal charges in the death of their son.

Holton Williams, 6, and Dorian Altom, 2, were removed from their parents' care Aug. 2, after Missouri Children's Division investigator Donna Kuntze Bullard and law enforcement officers saw the living conditions in their home.

Bullard and law enforcement visited the home after Ethan Patrick Williams, 4, was hospitalized with a high fever and massive bacterial infection. Ethan died Aug. 25.

Since then, Emily Altom's mother and stepfather, Terri and Lynn Murray, have filed a court case seeking guardianship of the two boys. Holton Williams' natural father, Danny W. Williams of Perryville, wants custody of his son.

Neither Joseph Sanchez of Festus, Mo., attorney for the Murrays, nor Wayne Keller of Cape Girardeau, attorney for Danny Williams, returned calls for this report.

James Marks, a Perryville attorney who has been appointed guardian ad litem for the children, declined to comment. His role is defined by the Missouri Supreme Court as an advocate for the children's best interest.

That doesn't mean merely expressing the child's preferences, the court said in comments to a 1996 order establishing the standards for guardians ad litem.

"The guardian ad litem, therefore, (1) must recommend only what is in the best interests of the child on each issue, and (2) must maintain an objectivity that preserves a clear focus on the child's best interest," the court's comments state.

A hearing set for Dec. 15 could decide whether the children remain in foster care, are split up so Holton Williams can be with his father or are turned over to the grandparents.

Associate Circuit Judge Michael Bullerdieck will hear the case. Bullerdieck on Friday ordered Michael and Emily Altom to face trial on charges of voluntary manslaughter and child endangerment because of unsanitary conditions in the Altoms's home.

In the meantime, the boys are being supported by all three parents. In separate cases on Oct. 15, Emily Altom was ordered to pay $135 a month to support the boys, Michael Altom was ordered to pay $357 a month and Danny Williams was ordered to pay $331 per month.