Larimer County, CO — In a dramatic turn of events, Rachel Pickrel-Hawkins, a Colorado mother, has successfully avoided further jail time after a judge suspended her sentence during a contentious court hearing. The case centers around court-ordered reunification therapy between her two youngest sons and their father, Michael Hawkins, who faces serious criminal charges, including multiple counts of child sexual abuse.
During the two-hour hearing on Thursday, Larimer County District Court Judge Daniel McDonald ruled that Pickrel-Hawkins would not serve the additional five weekends in jail that had been previously ordered. The judge cited the ongoing criminal case against Hawkins as a significant factor in his decision to reconsider the mother’s sentence.
The background of the case is troubling. Hawkins, a retired police sergeant, has been charged with seven felony counts of child sexual abuse, including the alleged rape of his daughter in 2012. He has denied all allegations, with his attorney asserting that Pickrel-Hawkins lacks credibility and is “highly manipulative.”
The reunification therapy sessions, conducted by therapist Christine Bassett, have come under intense scrutiny. Pickrel-Hawkins’s legal team argued that Bassett’s past failures in similar cases raised serious concerns about her judgment. They highlighted the tragic case of Adam Zipperer, who murdered his two children after being encouraged by Bassett to rebuild his relationship with them. The mother’s attorney, Heather Broxterman, questioned Bassett’s ability to assess parental safety, citing the fatal consequences of her previous therapeutic recommendations.
Despite objections, Judge McDonald limited the scope of questioning regarding Bassett’s past, allowing only general inquiries about her practice. When asked if she had ever misjudged a parent’s safety, Bassett admitted, “I’m sure that that’s probably happened.”
The hearing also featured testimony from Pia Jansen, the personal therapist for Pickrel-Hawkins’s children, who expressed grave concerns about the impact of the reunification therapy on the boys. Jansen reported that the children were distressed about their mother’s incarceration and the ongoing therapy sessions, which they felt were not in their best interest. She revealed that one of the boys had even expressed thoughts of self-harm due to the stress of the situation.
In contrast, Bassett testified that Hawkins was making “incredible” progress in therapy, a statement met with skepticism from the mother’s legal team. The court has previously determined that Hawkins posed a risk to his children, with Larimer County’s child protective services confirming allegations of abuse.
The judge’s decision to suspend the mother’s jail sentence and halt the reunification therapy sessions comes at a time of heightened scrutiny regarding such therapy practices. Colorado lawmakers have begun to restrict the use of reunification therapy, particularly in cases involving allegations of abuse. Recent reforms aim to protect children from being forced into potentially harmful situations with estranged parents.
As the case continues to unfold, it has drawn significant public attention, with many advocates for court reform rallying in support of Pickrel-Hawkins. The judge acknowledged the heightened scrutiny surrounding the case, stating that he would continue to apply the law impartially despite receiving threats regarding his safety.
The future of the reunification therapy and the custody arrangements for Pickrel-Hawkins’s children remain uncertain as the legal proceedings against their father progress. The case highlights the complex and often contentious nature of family court decisions, particularly in instances involving allegations of abuse.