Kyndra Fink, who along with her husband is accused of kidnapping their allegedly malnourished child from a hospital, has filed for divorce.
Citing irreconcilable differences, Kyndra Fink, 23, filed for divorce from Christopher Fink on Dec. 18 -- the day after the couple were ordered to stand trial on charges of kidnapping, child abuse and aggravated assault.In the action filed in 3rd District Court, the woman asks for custody of the couple's two children: 23-month-old David Moshe Fink and 3-month-old Elijah Evergreen Fink, who was born in the Montana wilderness during his parents' 16-day run from the law.
She also asks $10 per month in alimony, that Christopher pay the family's debts, pay child support and carry a $300,000 life insurance policy and that she be awarded the use of her maiden name, Lee.
Bill Morrison, attorney for Christopher, 23, said his client was distraught after being served with the papers Wednesday.
"He was very surprised, very disappointed and very shocked," Morrison said. "He said he will always love her and he didn't want a divorce.
"I have enormous sympathy for her," Morrison said. "She's been given a choice of either your children or your husband. If she has any hope of gaining custody of her children, her only hope is to start fresh without the encumbrance of Christopher Fink."
The state has begun proceedings to permanently remove custody of the children from their parents. The boys are in foster care.
The couple were married in Pocatello, Idaho, on Feb. 28, 1996, weeks after meeting. She was a massage therapist who shared office space with her chiropractor father in Pocatello.
Christopher Fink, a native of Altoona, Penn., had spent much of his life on the road, often homeless, with his mother and four brothers and sisters.
During the next two years, the couple lived in numerous cities while Christopher Fink put together the tenets of his religious beliefs. Their first son, Christopher Fink has said, was born unattended in their apartment in Helper, Utah, on Dec. 27, 1996.
The couple captured national attention in September when they snatched David Fink from Primary Children's Medical Center. The child had been admitted five days before by relatives concerned with his weight -- just 16 pounds, a pound less than an average 6-month-old boy.
An initial FBI report said the Finks restricted their firstborn's diet to watermelon and lettuce because they believed he was the "Christ child" whose body must be kept pure.
Christopher has denied that he believed his son was a Christ child or a prophet, and he denied that his son was fed only watermelon and lettuce. He has said his son was simply small for his age.
The couple are under a court order not to speak to each other nor to see their children.