Here's an update from one of the family's attorneys:

I thank you for your many kind remarks and concerns over the well being of
the Mercado family. I have been overwhelmed by the responses. Jackie and
Johnny thank you for your thoughts and prayers. Slowly, I believe their
lives will begin to return to normal. Currently, we have enrolled them in
counseling, not to address allegations of wrongdoing as the government
wanted, but to help them with their grief over the matter. Although, I can
not go into too many specifics, I can report their counselor is on our side
and indicates nothing but a positive outlook. Finally, I informed the Court
and CPS of the absurdity of requiring a lie detector "test" and that demand
has been withdrawn.

Many of you have inquired about a defense fund in order to see that their
children are finally returned to them. I contacted their church about this.
However, due to their small staff, they did not believe they were able to
maintain such an account. Therefore, I have set up an account through my
office trust account. The account is the Mercado Defense Trust Account. All
monies collected will be used to ensure the return of their children and to
eliminate all record of the arrest and charges from their record. The
remainder will be used for counseling of the children and for family
support. The address is:

Stovall & Chatham
Mercado Defense Account
2200 North Lamar, Suite 301
Dallas, Texas 75202

I promise to keep you updated as to the children’s status, the family’s
status and the status of the court proceedings. I am, optimistically, hoping
the family is reunited before May 15.

Please feel free to forward this e-mail or e-mail me with any questions
about the proceedings.

Andrew M. Chatham

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