WEST JORDAN — At first there was a lingering hug, followed by a big smooch, as a well known polygamist reunited with one of his plural wives.
The reunion came after a judge lifted a no-contact order for the couple, who have been embroiled in a long-running legal battle with the state over such volatile issues as child custody, child abuse, domestic violence and family reunification efforts.
"It's been 13 months, 14 days and about one hour," a smiling Heidi Mattingly said as she held hands with polygamist John Daniel Kingston, with whom she has had 11 children.
The no-contact order that kept them apart arose from a case originally handled by 3rd District Judge Andrew Valdez. He found that Kingston abused the children and Mattingly failed to protect them, then found that Mattingly also abused them. Among other things, Valdez set in motion arrangements for a group therapy program for domestic violence victims to help Mattingly that involved women who were or are in polygamous marriages.
The case produced court-ordered therapy for both adults, foster care for most of the children, various programs for all involved — and has aroused intense media scrutiny.
Third District Juvenile Judge Elizabeth Lindsley on Tuesday lifted the no-contact order separating Kingston and Mattingly.
Lindsley also ruled Kingston can continue to have supervised visits with nine of the children who are now in Mattingly's care. But the judge warned that contact between the couple should not involve the children, even through such things as phone messages.
"You are the adults," Lindsley said as she instructed them to work it out without getting the children in the middle.
Kingston has been ordered to continue to receive individual therapy from a psychologist and attend domestic violence classes, which he has begun doing. He also has completed a parenting class and anger management course, according to his attorney.
The court will review the case March 7.
Mattingly meanwhile has completed individual and group therapy, and on Tuesday, Lindsley ended family preservation services for Mattingly.
"I do commend you for the work you did," the judge told both Mattingly and her caseworker.
Therapy for Mattingly and family reunification efforts resulted in eight of the children being returned to Mattingly's custody after they spent more than a year in foster care. An infant girl has been with Mattingly throughout the legal process.
Mattingly and Kingston in October relinquished parental rights to two teenage daughters, who have expressed a desire to be adopted by other families.
Guardian ad Litem Kristen Brewer expressed doubts in court that the children are safe in Mattingly's home and wanted only supervised visits for Kingston with the children until he finishes various forms of court-ordered treatment.
The state also is still looking at what Kingston should be paying for child support, and the court wants payment of previously ordered support and completion of community service hours by Kingston and Mattingly for violating the no-contact order between the children and Kingston at Mattingly's father's funeral.
But the couple, who say they have been together for more than 18 years, were clearly happy with the end of the no-contact order keeping them apart. "We love each other very much," Kingston said.
E-mail: lindat@desnews.com