Mother of child found with 87 heroin-filed condoms in his body is denied custody

NEW YORK - A family court judge rejected a Georgia mother&#39;s plea for custody of her 12-year-old son while he awaits trial on charges he swallowed 87 heroin-filled condoms before flying to the United States from Nigeria. <br> <br> Prince Nnaedozie Umegbolu might flee if turned over to his mother, Judge Marybeth Richroath said Wednesday in denying custody to Alissa Walden of Norcross, Ga. She also denied a request to let the boy and his mother meet in the courtroom, saying it would present a security risk. <br> <br> The boy&#39;s father, Chukwunwieke Umegbolu, is imprisoned on a 1995 conviction for his role in a drug ring that imported at least $33 million in heroin into Georgia over a decade. <br> <br> Authorities said Prince swallowed the heroin-filled condoms a few days before beginning his 17-hour trip to New York on April 10, but became sick before meeting someone who had promised him $1,900 to act as a courier. <br> <br> Charges against the boy, now in Juvenile Justice Department custody, include possession of a controlled substance and possession of heroin with intent to distribute. <br> <br> Prosecutor John Queenan said Wednesday that Prince had demonstrated he understood what he was doing and was ``clearly mature beyond his 12 years.&#39;&#39; <br> <br> Prince Umegbolu was born in the United States but had been sent to live with his grandparents in Abuja, the Nigerian capital. <br> <br> Walden said her son, the oldest of five children, missed his family and home. She said he told her drug dealers had approached him at a school choir performance, complimented him on his singing and asked whether he was American. They had him swallow the condoms and promised him airfare to New York and $1,900, she said.

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