Aurora – Aaron Thompson and Shelley Lowe carried pizzas, sodas and Christmas presents into their first meeting with their children and her teenage brother since police began a homicide investigation into the disappearance of Thompson’s daughter Aaroné.
On Friday’s windswept morning, Lowe and Thompson arrived in a rented Chrysler, bearing wrapped gifts for the eight children who were removed from the couple’s care after the homicide investigation began Nov. 17.
Lowe, 32, carried a pink baby bag and pizzas, while Thompson, 38, hauled a large, wrapped box on his shoulder from the parking lot to the Arapahoe County Department of Human Services building.
Two-and-a-half hours later, the couple emerged without the gifts or food but with smiles on their faces. They wouldn’t answer questions from reporters, but Lowe offered a quiet “Merry Christmas.”
One stranger who recognized the couple leapt from his parked car and yelled, “God bless you two.”
“Thank you,” Lowe responded.
The Rev. Acen Phillips, who has been ministering to the couple, visited with Thompson and Lowe after the meeting.
“It was their Christmas Day,” Phillips said later. “They went out with great excitement. The kids were able to see them. It was an awesome day. This was a bright light for them. Aaron was more excited than I ever had seen him.”
The children in foster care are their 1-month-old daughter; Thompson’s son, Aaron Jr.; and five of Lowe’s children and her 15-year-old brother.
Police believe Aaroné, who would be 7 years old, was killed and has been dead for as long as 18 months. They are calling Lowe and Thompson persons of interest in her death.
No arrests have been made, and no suspects have been named. Lowe and Thompson have refused to speak with police since the homicide investigation began.
On Friday, lead Detective Randy Hansen arrived at the meeting and didn’t emerge until after Thompson and Lowe left.
Sources close to the investigation say serious limitations were placed on the visit.
The parents weren’t allowed to privately speak with the children. Caseworkers were present at all times in the visitation rooms, which are made to look homey, complete with a kitchen setting.
Phillips organized a fundraiser for Thompson and Lowe, and he said they spent all the money on the children.
“They got a special joy for shopping for the children and another special joy to give them the gifts, and the children were able to receive a gift from their parents. They were just elated.”
Lowe and Thompson are involved in a civil court case, trying to get custody of the children. A judge in that case has placed a gag order on the proceedings. Nevertheless, Phillips said, he heard the meeting went well.
“If you can imagine how they felt not being able to touch these children. And (Friday), to see them,” he said. “For a moment I think they forgot all about the tragedies.”
Staff writer Jeremy Meyer may be reached at 303-820-1175 or jpmeyer@denverpost.com.
