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Findlay Courier: Murdered woman's daughter in foster care

The 17-month-old daughter of Vera Jo Reigle, the Findlay woman who was murdered last week, has been removed by authorities from the home shared with the baby's father and mother.
Vera Jo Reigle Messersmith (Source: The Blade)

FINDLAY, OH (FIINDLAY COURIER) - The 17-month-old daughter of Vera Jo Reigle, the Findlay woman who was murdered last week, has been removed by authorities from a house at 300 Center St. where Reigle lived, Findlay police Lt. Chuck Wilson said.

The baby, Willadean Brooks, was removed last week from the house occupied by the Brooks family, Wilson said.

Reigle's mother, Verna Messersmith, said the baby is in foster care, but she and her husband are seeking custody.

Diana Hoover, administrator of Hancock County Children's Protective Services, cited confidentiality laws Monday and said she could not comment on the baby.

Police reports show Children's Protective Services has been called in the past to the Center Street house, where Reigle, 24, lived with the Brooks family. Zachary Brooks, 18, is Willadean's father.

Police reports indicate Zachary Brooks' mother, Cheri Brooks, was Reigle's guardian and received Reigle's Social Security disability checks.

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