Judge was unaware of new domestic violence charges against family of slain toddler

LARGO (FOX 13) - A Pinellas County judge agreed to reunify Jordan Belliveau, Jr. with both his mother and father two days after both were involved in a physical confrontation over the boy, newly-released documents show.

On July 16, Judge Kimberly Todd signed a court order - a week after a recommendation from a magistrate - granting custody of 2-year-old Jordan to Charisse Stinson and Jordan Belliveau, Sr.

The recommendation from the magistrate said the problems that caused Belliveau to be transferred into the foster system had been remedied, so long as a safety plan by DCF was put in place.

Transfer of custody back to Stinson would, "not be detrimental to his safety," court papers said at the time.

The court orders say his parents were in programs designed to help their parenting skills.

The order, which included the father, followed an initial order made on May 30 granting custody to only Stinson.

However, two days before the judge said both parents could take custody of Jordan, the father was accused of punching the mother, according to court records filed by the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office.

The records say Jordan Belliveau, Sr. became angry when he brought the little boy to his mother, but she was not ready for him to be back in her care.

They began arguing and he punched her, according to the records.

A spokesperson for the Pinellas County courts said Judge Todd was unaware of the incident.

The judge was acting on recommendations filed by a magistrate a week earlier, based on information gathered June 11.

There did not appear to be a system in place to ensure the judge got information of the new charges before granting final approval.

No major objections were filed by those who argued the initial motion to regain custody.

The new details revealed in the documents came as hundreds of members of the Largo community came together for a vigil for Jordan.

"I think I'm in shock. I'm still in shock. I can't believe this has occurred," said Jordan's paternal great-grandmother, who declined to reveal her name to media outlets. "He was beautiful. He was beautiful and he just had a confused mama."

Jordan's great-grandmother said she wishes the judge hadn't sent the little boy back to live with his parents.

"He was doing beautiful where he was at and I give all my heart and sympathy to the foster mother and dad and I do know in my heart that if he would have stayed there, he would still be here," she said.