Kyron Horman of Portland, Ore., vanished from his school June 4, causing national media attention. An intense investigation is underway into the boy's stepmother, Terri Horman, the last person reported to have seen the 7-year-old child. Kyron's parents have told media and the authorities that they believe Terri is somehow involved in their son's disappearance, even though no formal charges have been filed against her to date. Now Terri Horman's attorney, Peter Bunch, has filed a motion for abatement to delay his client's divorce proceedings from Kyron's father.
Bunch claims that due to the highly-publicized disappearance of Kyron and its subsequent scrutiny by law enforcement, a fair divorce hearing would be nearly impossible. If the judge OKs Bunch's motion, all child custody decisions as well as investigations into his client's finances would be put on hold. Divorce lawyers in Pasadena and around the world speculate that the possible delay offered by Bunch has ulterior motives. If Bunch's motion doesn't fly, Terri Horman could possibly be subjected to a Pandora's box of questions regarding the disappearance of Kyron. Moreover, if divorce proceedings do continue, Terri Horman will be placed in the difficult position of responding to her estranged husband's claims or using her Constitutional right to remain mum about the case.
Earlier this week, Kyron's father, Kaine Horman, alleged that Terri has spent an estimated $300,000 to retain Stephen Houze as a criminal defense attorney. Peter Bunch has publicly dismissed the claim, saying that Terri Horman is in financial need and does not have the money to spend on a criminal lawyer -- nor does she need one. Laura Rackner, attorney for Kaine Horman, fired back, requesting that the court force Terri to reveal the funds she has available for legal defense. As both sides await a decision from the judge regarding Terri Horman's finances, police and detectives have yet to make any arrests in connection to the disappearance of Kyron Horman.