When People Try to Raise Their Nieces or Nephews

He was once called a role model for black males and praised for doing the right thing.

But now Eugene Helm, who attempted to raise five nieces and nephews following the death of his sister back in 1996, is seen in a different light by many.

It was a formidable task for anyone, not to mention a 26-year-old 11 years ago - to attempt to make sure his sister's kids were taken care of and in a stable home.

"Eugene Helm was celebrated when he took in five kids, but a new beginning didn't stop problems," said writer Sherry Jacobson. "People wanted desperately to believe in Eugene Helm."

According to Jacobson, three of the three children watched their mother die of leukemia and the situation was pretty hopeless when Helm, a college student from Chicago, arrived Dallas more than a decade ago and eventually ended up as head of the motherless clan.

"Wearing a suit and tie and leading the children in prayer, he made a good impression on everyone he met," she wrote. "With his calming demeanor and willingness to tackle the mundane tasks of family life Helm shielded the children from the violence and drug dealers that once populated their world."

Fast forward to 2007 and you will see Randy Hill, now 22, one of the nephews, calling people to try to find a place to stay.

"Within eight years of Helm moving the family to Chicago, all the kids were back in the Dallas area," Jacobson writes. "The twin girls, Darnisha and LaEunice, now 15, spent at least three years with other relatives in North Texas."

One nephew, Christopher died and a sixth child, Devonte, 9 months was taken away by Child Protective Services.

Four of the kids accused Helm of physically abusing them, according to research, though Helm denies the abuse.

"Parenthood is not an easy task," Helm said in an interview.

Now Helm is divorced after marrying his girlfriend shortly after taking in his nieces and nephews and trying to make a family work.

Before the death of his sister, Helm's mother Joann was taking care of those nieces and nephews but she died of an asthma attack and there was no one willing or able to care for them though they had numerous relatives.