Teenager Wins Right to Sever Parental Ties

Father Killed Boy's Mother

CANTON, Mass., July 26 -- A teenage boy won a landmark legal battle Monday when his father, who had murdered the boy's mother, agreed to give up his parental rights.

Daniel Holland signed a settlement agreeing to give up his parental rights and waiving any right to be part of the life of his son, Patrick. He had been scheduled to face a closed-door trial Monday that experts said could have been precedent-setting.

Patrick, 14, was one of the first children to independently initiate what was in essence a divorce from a parent, despite the fact that he had a permanent home with his legal guardians.

Patrick said he was relieved the case was over but was skeptical about his father's motives.

"I don't think he did it for me; I just think he did it to make himself look good, to make himself look rehabilitated. But either way, I'm glad he did it," he said. "It's like a big weight's been lifted off my shoulders, knowing that I don't have to worry about him being in my life."

Howard Davidson, director of the American Bar Association's Center on Children and the Law, said the lack of a trial means no legal precedent was set for other children in homes where one parent kills the other. But he said the case stood out because Patrick's strong advocacy for himself in the courts and media could embolden other children to seek parental divorces.

"It might inspire other kids who feel the courts aren't listening to them to consider involvement in that process," he said. "Patrick deserves a lot of credit. It wasn't an easy thing for him to do."

Holland, 39, is serving life in prison without parole for first-degree murder. Prosecutors said he shot Elizabeth Holland eight times at her Quincy home, then beat her in the head with the rifle while Patrick slept in a nearby room six years ago. He is appealing the conviction.

Patrick's legal guardians, Ron and Rita Lazisky of Sandown, N.H., said they would file immediately to adopt Patrick. Rita Lazisky was Elizabeth Holland's best friend.

Daniel Holland participated in Monday's court session by video hookup from prison. As the brief hearing drew to a close, his lawyer, Patricia Gorman, said Holland wanted to speak to Patrick and tell him he loved him, Ron Lazisky said. Patrick walked out before the judge could rule, and the judge eventually denied the request.

"I just didn't want to hear that from him," Patrick said afterward.

Because the hearing was closed, lawyers said they could not comment. Gorman did not return a phone message Monday afternoon.

The Laziskys and grandparents on both sides sought custody of Patrick after the murder.

The Laziskys eventually got custody in a settlement with Daniel Holland's parents, but they agreed not to try to adopt Patrick until 2005, when Patrick would be old enough to have a major say. Because there was no adoption, Holland's parental rights were never terminated.

When Holland began trying to get Patrick's school and counseling records, the Laziskys, who live in New Hampshire, attempted to sever Holland's ties. But a New Hampshire judge dismissed the case because Patrick's mother was killed in Massachusetts.

Patrick filed suit here, with the support of the state Department of Social Services.