Judge Gerard Maney of Albany County Family Court told the boy, “If you keep on getting arrested, doors will not be opened for you the way I believe they could be opened.” The judge pointed to his head as he told the boy to be strong “up here” and then, pointing to his heart, said, “and here.” 

Jayson White was allowed, as a result of the pre-trial hearing on May 18, to see his two daughters for supervised visits, with his progress monitored with regular appearances in family court.

The aunt of the 5-year-old boy killed in her care last December will not be able to see her nieces, a family court judge ruled on Monday.

Psychologist Casey Everett testified Friday that she could upset her nieces, Cheyanne and Christine White, and be emotionally overwhelmed if reunited with them. On Monday, he said her neices resisted seeing her.

Michelle Fusco, the leader of a Facebook group formed to raise awareness of the case, said she felt her group made a difference with its protests outside of court and presence in family court.

Brenda VanAlstyne's attorney, Jeffrey Berkun, argued during the family court trial last week that the county hadn't proven any connection between her daughter's mental health and alleged violence in the home.

A medical examination performed after the 5-year-old was found dead and his sisters were taken into foster care showed the girls had bruising on their bodies, Judge Gerard Maney said in family court Tuesday.

In the wake of 5-year-old Kenneth White's murder, relatives are battling in court, unsuccessfully, to care for his two young sisters who remain in the county's custody.