The story begins so typically. Seventh-grader Trevor Maple was bored at school, displayed a short attention span, and read at a second grade level. Academic problems escalated into social problems. He even went to live with his grandparents to give another school system a try, but to no avail.

While discussing Trevor's problems with his school's vice-principal, he advised Trevor's mom that homeschooling could be a perfect alternative. Considering her options, schedule, and abilities, just two and a half months into the school year, Karen Maples decided to become a homeschooling mom.

Vermont's homeschooling requirements are neither easy nor difficult: submit a portfolio to the Board of Education or provide a Stanford Achievement Test score. Karen submitted a portfolio the first year, but for efficiency she switched to the standardized test the next year, and the year after. Trevor's score improved markedly, as did his self-confidence when he was in a learning environment that didn't call him "learning disabled." School officials deemed the test results suspect. Then one day, eighteen months after homeschooling began, the school called to ask if Trevor was absent because of illness. Karen thought this strange, but was assured it was a clerical mistake. This was before the school sent a letter to the state's attorney claiming that Trevor was a child in need of supervision. Enter several court appearances over two years, always with a public defender, always denied the ability to submit SAT scores into evidence. The state, in its all-powerful wisdom, decided Trevor needed a tutor.

But the tutor quit after one lesson. Allegedly, the tutor told Karen she was asked to lie about the condition of Karen's home - and wouldn't. Because he had been labeled "learning disabled," the school demanded to evaluate Trevor's education. Karen refused. A social service employee followed Karen around the grocery store. Social service employees have been found banging on Karen's front door as she arrived home. The children now run upstairs to hide when strangers approach the house.

To date Karen has had three public defenders, as has Trevor. She has seen three judges, one of whom, Judge Kupersmith, must hold a grudge. When Judge Cashman filled in for Kupersmith once this summer and read Karen's case, he said the entire matter should have been thrown out. While Judge Cashman had heard cases all day, Judge Kupersmith walked in to take care of Karen. Even though she had a "real" lawyer who was given 30 hours to prepare, Karen was arrested at this appearance, found in contempt of court for failure to bring Trevor to a juvenile court hearing on August 13. (Karen had informed the judge they wouldn't appear, at which time Kupersmith told her Trevor would be placed in permanent custory of Vermont Social and Rehabilitative Services. With this threat, Karen and family went into hiding until she appeared in court on September 1, 1999 - without Trevor.) Karen is such a horrid criminal bail is being denied, as is a breast pump for this nursing mother. Diane Wheeler, Franklin County deputy state's attorney acting as prosecutor, states, "Essentially, Ms. Maple holds the key to the cell door," meaning they don't intend to release her until she offers up custody of Trevor as her bail.

A sorely needed defense fund has been established. Donations may be sent to Karen Maple Defense Fund, c/o Richard Gadbois, Esq., RFD, Franklin, VT 05447; 802-933-4514.

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