Md. Grandmother Seeks Child Support From Murder Suspect

PITTSBURGH (AP) -- The maternal grandmother of a 6-year-old girl is seeking child support from a University of Pittsburgh researcher jailed on charges he fatally poisoned his neurologist wife with cyanide.

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported Tuesday that Lois Klein of Towson, Md., filed the court petition. Klein was granted custody of granddaughter Cianna Ferrante last week.

Cianna's father, 64-year-old Robert Ferrante, is charged in the death of his wife and the child's mother, Dr. Autumn Klein.

A court previously froze Ferrante's assets, except for a $280,000 bank account from which he can pay his legal expenses. The frozen assets can be used for restitution if he is convicted or further legal expenses.

A judge is to hear the grandmother's petition Sept. 18.

(Copyright 2013 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)