Kaine Horman Court Filing: Terri's Silence Implies Guilt

PORTLAND, Ore. -- The legal war of attrition in the divorce of missing Portland boy Kyron Horman's father and stepmother continued as more documents were filed in court Friday.

Attorney's for Kaine Horman filed a response to his estranged wife Terri Moulton Horman's withdrawal of a request to seek visitation with the couple's young child last week. In it, they argue that Terri's attachment of a "declaration" was only an attempt to "blame Father and his lawyer for Mother's situation," and that there was no legal need for such statements. Read: Kaine's latest filing

Under a restraining order filed by Kaine Horman, Terri was denied visitation with their young daughter. Kaine alleges that Terri has knowledge of what happened to Kyron. She is the last person to report seeing him alive.

In the papers filed Friday, Kaine asked the court to consider Terri's "silence as an admission regarding Father's factual allegations."

Kyron Horman was 7 when he disappeared from Skyline elementary on June 4. The largest missing person search in Oregon's history has so far turned up no suspects.

In court papers, Kaine Horman characterized Terri as an 'emotionally unstable' and 'unfit' mother -- claims she refuted in her initial plea for visitation. The estranged couple has filed a series of inflammatory motions.

"The fact that Mother's own attorney has told the Court that Mother intends to plead the Fifth speaks volumes about what mother has to hide," attorneys said.

"One can only infer that Mother will not speak because her testimony will lead to criminal liability for Kyron's disappearance."

Kaine and his attorneys said until Terri denies the accusations, no other conclusion can be made.

Kaine and Terri Horman have a divorce hearing set for January. The Multnomah County Sheriff's Office is setting up a task force on the case.

A Dateline special on the case airs Friday at 9 p.m. on KGW NewsChannel 8.