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Shooting haunts Childs’ momTeen's slaying by cop in 2003 a 'nightmare I can't escape'Javier Erik OlveraRocky Mountain NewsJul 5, 2006. pg. 18.AHelen Childs is slipping back into anonymity.She never liked the media attention that began July 5, 2003, after a Denver police officer shot and killed her developmentally disabled 15-year-old son inside her old home.She didn't like the impromptu news conferences outside her house that picked up after her high-powered legal team, lead by the late Johnnie Cochran, took on Denver and won the second largest settlement in city history.On the third anniversary of her son's death, she may "up and leave" to get her mind on something other than the day she calls "the nightmare I can't escape.""It hurts," the 41-year-old said during a recent visit to the neighborhood where she no longer lives. "It still feels like it happened this morning."She's no longer fodder for the nightly news, but every so often, she overhears whispers from strangers who remember her story and say, "That's Miss Childs, Paul's mom."She moved away from the home at 5550 Thrill Place in November 2004, using some of the $1,325,000 settlement to build a five- bedroom house in a new subdivision in northeast Denver.The money, of which $726,115 was split with her attorneys and the rest placed in a tax-free annuity with monthly payouts of $3,783.72 for 20 years, has helped.Childs said she has been able to provide for the two sons of her 19-year-old daughter, Ashley, in a way that she wasn't able to with her own children when she was working as a certified nurse's aide.Childs just added a swing set and had a sandbox built in her backyard for her grandsons, AaJaiveon Nash Hall, 2, and Jayvon Hall, 3 months.At times, the grandchildren remind her of her son, but "there's no way they would or could ever replace him."Ashley, who was also at the center of the media attention after Paul's death, recently got her nurse's aide certification and is working for a health care agency while still living at home, Childs said.Denver court records show that Ashley pleaded guilty last year to threatening a woman whose children she used to baby-sit, after the woman failed to pay her. She was sentenced to one year's probation.Childs glosses over her daughter's court appearances, saying only "that she's doing well."A few times a week, Childs returns to the old neighborhood to visit her godmother, who lives next door to the house where Paul was shot four times.Each visit prompts a flood of memories, including Paul grabbing a 13-inch kitchen knife because he wanted to leave the house. Neither Childs nor her daughter would let him.Ashley called police for help, as the family had done several times before to calm Paul, who would wander off and later call Childs to pick him up. When officers arrived, they ordered everyone out of the house, but Paul stayed inside and wouldn't drop the knife until police officer James Turney shot him.The death prompted rallies and resulted in sweeping changes, including training police officers to try to defuse situations before using force.Turney received 10 months' unpaid suspension, and nearly a year ago was promoted to a technician - a step above his previous rank as a patrol officer.A nonprofit organization has started as a result of Paul's death. It's purpose is to put people who have family members with mental disabilities in touch with organizations that can help during times of crisis.Next week, the organization, called Family Advocacy and Crisis Education Intervention Team, will begin circulating a petition to get the block in front of the Thrill Place home named after Paul."He needs to be remembered," Childs said. "His death shouldn't be in vain." ................
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