Timeline Page 3 of 9

Apr 6th, 2015

Andrea was laying in her bed and shaking violently; It was horrifying to watch. Andrea's father explained it was the result of alcohol withdrawal. Andrea is on a ventilator and I am told she is completely sedated, but I would later discover she had actually slipped into a coma the previous day.

Doctors were apparently not optimistic about her chances for recovery and the hospital sent a chaplain to discuss this with Patrice and I. We were asked to meet with the chaplain in a private conference room. He explains that we must prepare for the possibility that Andrea might not live through this and that we must prepare Patrick for this as well. He stated that they have counselors that can accompany Patrick to Andrea's bedside and assist him in saying goodbye to his mother.

Everything suddenly took an abrupt turn to the surreal. He continued to speak, and I could hear the words, but I couldn't understand what he was saying. I realized I was crying only after I tried to look at him but could not focus. I remember trying to convince myself that a visit from the chaplain was standard protocol for families of ICU patients. I could not make myself understand that Andrea was going to die. How could I possibly tell our 10 year old son?

I no longer heard him speaking and realized they were waiting on me to say something. I told him that I was not going to allow Patrick to see Andrea in the condition she was in now, because I believed It would do more harm than good. I do not remember if that was my true feelings, or if I felt that concurring would not allow me to hope any longer. I did know that I could not handle explaining to Patrick it was time for him to say goodbye to his mother.

I left the room and went to Andrea's bedside, leaned forward in my chair and rested my head upon clasped hands against her bed rail. I began to cry again and silently pleaded with Andrea to fight through this, begging her not to make me tell our 10 year old son that his mother was going to die.

Apr 29th, 2015 thru May 1st, 2015

First contact
Apr 29th, 2015 4:05pm

Patrick arrived home and told me that a woman came to his school and asked him a bunch of questions. My very first thought was that social services had learned about Andrea's hospitalization from the school and that they were interviewing him about her alcoholism. That was not the case.

Patrick explained that he was asked the following questions:

• Had I ever hit him;
• Had he ever seen me hit Andrea;
• Did he feel “safe” living at home;
• What types of food did I fix for him;
• Had I ever failed to feed him;
• Had he ever seen drugs or drug use in our home;
• Had he ever seen me consume large amounts of alcohol;

I told Patrick not to worry about it, but he was confused and wanted to know why he was asked those things. I told Patrick that it was common for the state to investigate following an injury like his mother's.

I was angry, but not entirely surprised, that Child Protective Services was launching an investigation targeting me. I understood that they were obligated to investigate all complaints, but I was already feeling overwhelmed with Andrea's hospitalization, Patrick's depression, and hostile in-laws. I was not overly concerned about the outcome, but the additional burden would take a heavy toll.

I was confident who initiated the complaint, but needed to be certain, and that would not take very long.

Call from social worker
Apr 30th, 2015 8:45am

I was on my way to the hospital when I received the call. The social worker's name was Tammy Klink. She explained that a complaint had been reported against me, and that she was assigned to investigate. Ms. Klink asked if I would be willing to come to her office the next day at 10:00am to talk about the complaint. I agreed to be there.

Confirmation
May 1st, 2015 9:00am

After Patrick and I arrived at the hospital, Patrice informed me that Andrea suffered 3 seizures during the night. Following the discussion over Andrea's seizures, I asked Patrice if she was willing to watch Patrick for the next few hours because I had been asked to meet with a social worker from Child Protective Services. Patrice made no inquiries as to why Child Protective Services wanted to meet with me, but simply responded “Yes”, confirming what I was already certain of. Patrice then made a call to John, asking him to pick up Patrick from the hospital.

The allegations
May 1st, 2015 10:00am

I arrived at Child Protective Services and called Ms. Klink, notifying her that I was there. She asked me to wait in the hallway outside their offices and would meet with me shortly. I waited approximately 20 minutes, before Ms. Klink came and introduced herself while leading me to an interview room where we sat. She read the allegations from the complaint against me and then began her questioning. The interview lasted for approximately 30 minutes.

The following allegations were made against me:

1. Patrick has witnessed Chris commit acts of domestic violence against Andrea on multiple occasions;
2. On one occasion, Patrick observed Chris beat Andrea so severely that she was unable pick herself up from the floor. Chris then ordered Patrick to get a glass of water and throw it on her;
3. Andrea failed to seek an Emergency Protective Order against Chris because of her fear that he would kill her;
4. Andrea has left Chris on 2 separate occasions in the past and stayed at The Center for Women and Families seeking help to escape Chris' abuse;
5. Andrea's alcoholism was the result of self-medicating her depression caused by Chris' abuse over the past 2 years;
6. Chris forced Andrea to have sex against her will, and required her to perform deviant sexual acts;
7. John and Patrice are required to remain with Andrea at the hospital at all times out of fear that Chris will attempt to end her life;
8. Chris has threatened John and Patrice on numerous occasions that he will take Patrick away, unless they allow him to visit Andrea;
9. Chris failed to provide Andrea with medical insurance coverage;

I was hurt and angered by the allegations; they made me look like a monster. I felt very uncomfortable throughout the interview. The knowledge that I did none of those things, failed to alleviate any of the embarrassment of being required to answer for the accusations leveled against me.

May 9th, 2015

I visited Andrea's Facebook page and noticed that I was removed as her “Friend” and no longer listed as her husband in her profile. The only people with access to her account, besides myself, was John and Patrice because they had possession of Andrea's mobile phone.

I logged-in to Andrea's account and learned that the changes to Andrea's profile occurred on May 7th, 2015 at 7:15am.

After reverting Andrea's profile information back to it's previous state, I requested that all devices be logged-out and required to re-enter her password.

May 13th, 2015 thru Jun 11th, 2015

Message to Patrice
May 13th, 2015 2:53pm

CHRIS: I just received a call from kynect about insurance and my marital status. We need to talk.

PATRICE: What do you mean? I told them that she was living at a different residence than you and she would file a separate tax return for 2015. They are paying the hospital bill that Humana will not pay. She had to get off the Humana policy in order to get the Welcare.

CHRIS: Kynect advised we were legally separated and that Patrick and I would have to recertify for medical coverage but that our family plan ends because Andrea was the one that signed us up.

CHRIS: In order to avoid that I have to tell them that's not the case.

PATRICE: They told me that they would take Andrea off the family policy and keep you and Patrick on the policy. If she is on your policy you will be responsible for all of the hospital bill. It will be huge. We are trying to help you avoid that.

PATRICE: You and Patrick should be able to recertify for medical coverage now.

PATRICE: No other place will take Andrea for rehab because if her insurance problems. She really need rehab and we're working to get that for her.

CHRIS: I know that I am responsible. That is why I've been working to get the referral. I told you about that. I do not want to recertify I'm not even sure what it means. Kynect rep used terms like fraud that I don't want any part of. She can go to rehab if I put everything back as it was.

PATRICE: No she can't. Humana will not pay for it and Kindred will not take her. You can call Darlene at 899-6130 at Norton Suburban. She is the person at the hospital who has been working on this.

Andrea and I were not, or ever been, “separated” throughout our marriage.

Denial of claims letter from Humana
Mar 31st, 2015

Humana sent me a letter stating they were denying coverage for Andrea's hospitalization. The reason for the denial was due to Andrea's elevated blood alcohol level upon admission to the emergency room.

Termination letter from Humana
Jun 6th, 2015

Humana sent a letter notifying me that our family health insurance plan was terminated on May 31st, 2015. Humana customer service explained to me that they received the request to terminate the policy from the Kentucky Health Exchange (KYNECT) and that I would need to speak with them to obtain the details.

I called KYNECT and was told that Andrea was removed from our health insurance plan at the request of her Power of Attorney (Patrice) in late April. They explained that Andrea's removal automatically terminated all persons covered under the plan because Andrea was the person that completed the request to purchase the plan. I was told that they would work to reinstate coverage for Patrick and I and assigned a case number (150526-004377).

Message from Patrice
Jun 11th, 2015 5:53pm

PATRICE: I requested that Andrea be dropped from the insurance but I never said anything about Patrick. I do not know why anyone did that.

CHRIS: I know that but Patrick and I were both dropped. I got a separate letter because I am an adult. Can you ask Darlene why this would happen and how to fix it? We cannot be without health insurance.

PATRICE: I can only talk to Darlene about Andrea. You will need to call her about you and Patrick.

I would later be allowed to complete a new application for health insurance coverage for Patrick and I outside of the open enrollment period, but the new plan did not take affect until September and left us without any coverage for 3 months.

May 14th, 2015

Alex (my oldest son from first marriage) accompanied me back to the hospital after picking Patrick up from school. Alex and Patrick attempted to talk with Andrea, but she continually darted her eyes around the room seemingly unable to focus. A short time later, Alex asked if he could take Patrick to the hospital cafeteria and get something to eat. I told him that was fine.

Patrice and I remained in the room, sitting on opposite sides of Andrea's bed. A short time later, Andrea began attempting to mouth words, but without her voice, proved difficult to understand. I soon realized that she was attempting to say my name. I reached for her hand and explained that I was sitting next to her. She embraced my hand and stared at me. Andrea then began mouthing, “I'm Sorry” repeatedly. At this, Patrice rose from her chair, leaned over Andrea's bed, and caressed her hair while saying, “It's okay sweetie, just relax.”, gently attempting to divert Andrea's gaze toward her, but Andrea pulled her head away staring back towards me. Patrice then attempted to hold Andrea's right hand, but again Andrea pulled away, leaving Patrice visibly upset and standing with arms crossed.

Andrea continued mouthing words, often understandable, but sometimes requiring several attempts. Andrea asked me to kiss her, puckering her lips and kissing the air. I hesitated, allowing Patrice to see what Andrea was asking of me, before leaning over the bed and kissing her (I learned this practice was necessary to prevent accusations). As we continued to stare at each other, Andrea again began mouthing, “I'm Sorry” repeatedly, before stopping and attempting to say, “I Love You”, with progressing clarity. I smiled and replied that I loved her too.

Patrice then decided that Andrea needed to rest and told me to let her go. When I did, Andrea attempted to reach out and grab my hand, while mouthing, “No” and “Don't go”. I told her that I needed to leave and to get some rest, but that I would be back in the morning. Andrea extended her arms towards me, mouthing “Hold me, Hold me”, and I did. It was an incredible day.