ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Saturday, February 24, 1996 TAG: 9602270036
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-3 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: RICHMOND
SOURCE: Associated Press
Valerie Bertinelli and Vanessa Redgrave will star in an ABC television movie about a Virginia lesbian who lost custody of her son to her mother, the network announced.
Bertinelli will portray Sharon Bottoms, who is trying to regain custody of her 4-year-old son, Tyler Doustou, from her mother, Kay Bottoms. Redgrave will play Kay Bottoms in ``For the Love of Tyler,'' ABC said.
The network said other roles have not been cast. The movie is to start filming next month in Austin, Texas. No air date has been announced.
Kay Bottoms sued for custody of Tyler in February 1993, citing her daughter's live-in lesbian relationship with April Wade. The grandmother was granted custody of the boy, but Sharon Bottoms was given visitation rights.
Sharon Bottoms appealed, and last April the Virginia Supreme Court ruled in Kay Bottoms' favor after finding that Sharon Bottoms' relationship with Wade could bring ``social condemnation'' on Tyler.
On Monday, Sharon Bottoms' lawyers will be back in Henrico County Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court to argue that the boy should be returned to his mother. They contend that Sharon Bottoms' living conditions have improved since 1993 while Kay Bottoms' have deteriorated.
The two women also are feuding over the visitation agreement.
Sharon Bottoms contends that her mother has not allowed her to see Tyler on scheduled visitation days. Kay Bottoms has alleged that her daughter violated the court order by keeping the boy overnight in the apartment Sharon Bottoms and April Wade share.
Wade declined to talk about the movie Friday.
``Our attorneys have asked us not to comment on it until after our hearing,'' she said.
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