Brooks Houck's sister seeks permanent custody of child he shared with Crystal Rogers

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Brooks Houck's sister asked a judge to grant her permanent custody of the child her brother shared with Crystal Rogers.

Rhonda McIlvoy filed a motion in Nelson Family Court on July 18, 10 days after Brooks Houck was found guilty in the 2015 murder of Rogers, asking to maintain custody of Eli, who is now 12.

McIlvoy has had temporary custody of Eli since 2023, according to the motion and has provided a "stable and secure environment and good and proper care."

The motion points out that Houck is incarcerated and Rogers is deceased.

A 2023 temporary custody order attached to the motion shows McIlvoy would take care of Eli "by agreement of parties."

On July 8, a Warren County Circuit Court jury found Brooks Houck and Joseph Lawson guilty in the 2015 murder of Crystal Rogers and recommended the maximum prison sentences.

The jury of six men and six women found Houck, 43, guilty of murder (principal or accomplice to the crime) and complicity tampering with physical evidence.

The jury recommended a sentence of life in prison for Houck.

A final sentencing hearing will be held Aug. 21 in Nelson County.

The child was 2 years old at the time his mother went missing in 2015.

In 2023, both of his grandmothers, Rosemary Houck and Sherry Ballard, Rogers' mother, fought for custody of him in court.

Rosemary Houck, who later withdrew her request, has been named an "unindicted co-conspirator" in the murder of Rogers. Nick Houck, Brooks' brother, has also been mentioned as being a suspect under investigation.

In a 2023 hearing in the criminal case, prosecutor Shane Young accused McIlvoy, Nick Houck, Rosemary Houck and two other family members of secretly recording their grand jury testimony.

The statute of limitations for that misdemeanor offense has passed.

Sherry Ballard couldn't immediately be reached for comment.

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