A sanctuary for children in heart of the justice system

VIRGINIA BEACH

The most unusual office in the courthouse has a breathtaking view. The second-floor walk up comes with one-of-a-kind window treatments, a television with DVD player, rocking chair, baby changing table and library with plenty of floor space.

And toys.

This is the Children's Corner at the Juvenile and Domestic Relations court. Room A209 is the only space set aside for children whose parents are handling court business in South Hampton Roads.

"We had to kill three people to get it," said Judy McRey-nolds, the executive director of the Friends of Virginia Beach Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court. "It is one of a few rooms with two corner windows."

The waiting room has been open since the early 1990s, about as long as the courthouse complex. It was a pet project of Doris Hindlin, a longtime volunteer court assistant, now deceased, who helped write the protocol for the room and raise the money to furnish it. Her framed photograph is on the wall.

"Welcome to the farm" and "Two greedy bears" sit on bookshelves worn by generations of little hands.

A sign out front warns parents not to leave their children unattended. Occasionally, McReynolds arranges for volunteers to stand sentry there while parents are in chambers.

Just outside the half-doors, forlorn faces sit in unforgiving seats with little elbow room. These adults and juveniles are awaiting their turn in sterile courtrooms, where they face real-life consequences.

Room A209 is a sanctuary.

Last Monday, Devon, a toddler, rode the wooden rocking horse, then flipped over a large toy car and slapped at its wheels, oblivious to lawyers and bondsmen doing business outside.

Devon tried to build a fort in a plastic play table. He opened the door and peaked outside. He yanked more toys out of the green tub. He shrieked.

Devon's father, Jamar, who did not want to give his full name, watched anxiously in the room as a woman braided his locked hair. She had an infant in arm's reach. Jamar was waiting to face charges of assaulting a family member and missing too many sessions in his anger management program.

Jamar's case was called at 10:16 a.m. The four walked out of the Children's Corner and into the nearby courtroom. Jamar was the only one who did not come out. He was sentenced to 10 days in jail.

Duane Bourne, (757) 222-5150, duane.bourne@pilotonline.com