DOWNTOWN BROOKLYN, NY (PIX11)—
Dalisha Adams was vilified for ditching her babies on a Canarsie sidewalk clutching a fistful of diapers on Sunday afternoon. But today her family spoke exclusively with PIX11 as she was arraigned Tuesday.Her family is blaming the girls' father, saying the man with a history of violating restraining orders and doing time for guns and drugs set her up, and that Shawn Cobbs' family is just doing it for money.
We spoke with Amy, Dalisha's Aunt, who charges, "What it all boils down to is the money."
The Adams say Dalisha was dropping off the girls so she could work a second job, in addition to her security guard position. They say she handed off 3-year-old Dominae and 2-year-old Dioni to their unemployed father Shawn Cobbs, who lives in his mother's apartment in the Bay View Houses.
Peyisai Adams, Dalisha's brother, believes she was handing the girls off to go to work. "I don't know if he walked off and left the kids. I really can't answer. I know for a fact my sister would have her kids for her to feel safe and drive off."
Dalisha, who turned herself over to police Sunday night and was charged with endangering the welfare of a child, was arraigned today. She has been court ordered to not have any contact with the girls. Their father has not asked for custody--but there is a showdown in family court brewing over custody of the little girls. The Adams family says they're motivated by love--but charge the girl's grandmother Bertha, already burdened with her own ten children, is motivated by greed.
Amy says it comes down to economics, "If they were to get custody of the children they get $1500 a month per child."
Dalisha's family is hoping a family court judge will rule in their favor at Thursday's hearing.
Roberta Cochran-Adams, Dalisha's sister-in-law showed family pictures from the most recent Christmas celebrations. "They get a stable home, surrounded by cousins they love, aunts they love."
The 26-year-old Adams, who has no criminal record, did not enter a plea in court today as her bail was set at $2500. Her attorney Robert Riether says she will post bail, "She maintains her innocence. She wants her day in court. Her children not harmed."
Nevertheless, Dalisha's judgement is being questioned further after a picture of a naked man holding a champagne bottle was posted on her Facebook page shortly after dropping the girls off near their grandmother's apartment. Her family defends her.
"We all grew up in the system so I know she wouldn't abandon her children like that," said brother Peyisai.
Adams has another court appearance on Friday.
