Ricky's Remains Still in Custody

Lansing, MI - Prosecutors state that action will hopefully be taken next week that could finally determine who gets Ricky Holland's body. Prosecutors and the medical examiner's office have been holding onto the skeletal remains of Ricky Holland since January because the case was still pending and no one has been assigned as next-of-kin.

Tim Holland's relatives, who are caring for the other 4 children that were in their custody at the time of Ricky's murder, have requested the rights to the remains but haven't gotten the go-ahead. Three of the four children they have are siblings of Ricky Holland.

The ongoing investigation that may result in charges pressed in others that were connected to the cover-up of Ricky's murder could hamper the release of Ricky's body for proper burial. The remains are considered evidence. The prosecutor's office also states that an appeal could hamper the release of Ricky's remains.

Lisa Holland was convicted of first-degree murder and first-degree child abuse late last month. Her husband, Tim Holland, pleaded to second-degree murder in exchange for testifying against his wife.

His testimony was instrumental in her conviction, though prosecutors and others were worried that because he had been untruthful before, particularly while the investigation was ongoing, that his testimony wouldn't hold the weight they were looking for to get their conviction on Lisa Holland.

Lisa Holland is facing life without the possibility of parole at her sentencing hearing on November 28th.

The medical examiner is reported as saying that people who want to help should focus on children who are involved in abusive situations right now, though critics are already worried about a potential foster care scare in the wake of the murder of Ricky Holland, who died in adoptive placement after foster care, as well as the other recent murders of foster children in this state and others.