Q: What’s happened to Mitch Comer, the 18-year-old boy who was put on a bus to L.A. with $200 and a list of shelters. Has he been to school? Is there a group to help him? I know he is too old for foster care, so where is he living? Is he capable of taking care of himself? Did he testify against his parents?
—Mary Niedrach, Rome
A: Comer, whose mom and stepdad locked him in a room in their Paulding County house for at least three years and deprived him of food, is living with a family provided to him by the county's witness advocate office. Paulding County district attorney Dick Donovan hasn't released many details about the situation, saying that Comer will need to decide if he wants to come forward and tell his story. Comer is going to school because he attended only through the eighth grade, and Donovan has told the AJC that Comer is focused on his education and putting his past behind him. Comer didn't testify against Paul and Sheila Comer because they agreed to a plea deal of 30 years, including 15 years in prison. As part of the deal, the Comers had to forfeit all of their assets, which have been in a trust fund for Comer and his two step-sisters. "I wanted the kids to have something," Donovan told the AJC in February. "They're not going to have parents." Comer's biological dad lives in Nevada, and it could be up to Comer to pursue a relationship with him.
Andy Johnston wrote this column; Alexis Stevens contributed. Do you have a question about the news? We’ll try to get the answer. Call 404-222-2002 or email q&a@ajc.com (include name, phone and city).
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