NEWS 8 EXCLUSIVE
WYLIE — It's been nearly one month since the body of little Gerren Isgrigg was found in a Wylie park. And now, the body of the six-year-old is lying in wait as his parents battle over who gets his body.
Gerren's father, Jerry Isgrigg, asked a Collin County judge to prevent the boy's mother from taking the child's body out of state. But so far, authorities have not been able to find her to serve the papers.
Gerren’s body is at the North Dallas Funeral Home in Farmers Branch. A Collin County probate judge issued a temporary restraining order that will keep the child's body at the funeral home until the court can determine which parent has the right to decide what will happen with Gerren's remains.
Jerry Isgrigg sought for the restraining order. In court documents obtained by News 8, Isgrigg said his ex-wife, Nicky Phillips — who is Gerren's mother — has said she intends to cremate the remains or move Gerren's body to be buried in Arkansas, Missouri or Oklahoma.
Jerry Isgrigg wants to stop her from doing that. The court papers say he wants his child to have a Christian funeral and burial.
Gerren, who became known as "Wylie's Angel" before he was identified, was found at a Wylie park near Lake Lavon on April 15. Eight days later, the six-year-old boy was identified when investigators tracked down his father, a U.S. Marine who is stationed in California.
Gerren’s grandmother, 63-year-old Darlene Phillips, is charged with the child's murder.
News 8 recently traveled to McAlester, Oklahoma, attempting to talk with Nicki Phillips at a rural house she claimed as her address to Wylie police. She was not there.
Collin County probate judge Weldon Copeland ordered the boy's mother and funeral home officials to be in his courtroom Thursday morning. He’s asking them to show why his temporary restraining order should not be granted.
E-mail sstoler@wfaa.com
