Hi long story shorty my friend had a baby on tuesday and the state is trying to take the baby and put him in foster care on saturday. I want to take the baby temporarily until my friend does what she has to to get him back. The only thing is i have 3 kids already and i dont know about going about getting him. What do they look for in the home i know they do bci checks and all that im clean so thats not a problem do you have to be working? Have a certain income limit? i have a big enough house also. Should i get a lawyer? I have no idea how to do this. And my friend is so depressed shes almost giving up hope i know its gonna break her heart to leave the hospital without him especially since the state came in out of nowhere and are trying to hold something against her that happened about 9 years ago. Everyone deserves a second chance she is a good mom.
2007-02-09 02:17:37 · 14 answers · asked by Heather C 2 in Family & Relationships ➔ Family
You friend will definately need to get an attorney, but you can call Child Protective Services and ask to speak with the caseworker assigned to the the case and express your opinions and support of her and your willingness to take temporary custody while she works out what she needs to. In most cases, the State's ultimate goal is to re-unite the parent with the child.
The caseworker can tell you what the criteria is for temporary custody and if it looks like it will be more than a short-term arrangement, what criteria must be met in order for you to become a foster parent. The criteria for meeting temporary custody, as you are financially responsible for the child, is much lower than it is becoming a foster parent, but if you become a foster parent, it includes medical coverage for the child and usually a monthly stipend.
Good luck!
2007-02-09 02:35:52 · answer #1 · answered by bottleblondemama 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Talk to a lawyer and your local social services office. They are the ones who can give you the best answers. They could also help clear up whatever it is they are holding against your friend now. To take her baby I imagine you would have to baby proof your home if it isn't currently baby proofed. As long as you have an income that can support your children I don't think you have to be working. My aunt was on disability and was an emergency foster care mom for dozens of children. She adopted nine of them. She was a single mom with three children of her own when she became a foster mom. Good luck! I hope you can help your friend.
2007-02-09 02:26:27 · answer #2 · answered by Laoshu Laoshi 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
First of all what a good person you must be to take on the responsibility of someone else's child. I was reading the other answers and the "drugs in the baby's system" really stood out. You need to find out exactly why the state is taking this baby. If they are taking the baby for : drugs found in his system , you need to be prepared because with this could come all sorts of issues for the baby. Are you and your family going to be able to deal with it? You said you have three children; a baby that is addicted to drugs takes a lot of patience and love. Talk to Social Services and see if there is any way that you could help out. If they cannot place him in your home maybe you could at least be involved enough to where you could periodically check in on him. Best of luck to you!
2007-02-09 02:45:57 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You are leaving out the most important part . What did she do
9 years ago that would effect today short of murder or child endangerment .? I think it has to do more about the baby now and the shape it was born in.
The State just doesn't step in for no good reason, they have better things to do .Keeping the baby safe is their priority .
You must have a separate bed room for the child. enough money to provide for the household,Husband and yourself must be of good character .
I hope the baby gets the best chance .
2007-02-09 03:28:00 · answer #4 · answered by Elaine814 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm sorry to tell you this, but the number 1 reason they keep newborns is becuase the baby is addicted to some type of substance. Other than that, I have never heard of such a thing happening - unless there was prior abuse and even then, they will let you take the baby home. For sure do what your heart tells you if you want to help. But make sure you get all the facts before you stick your neck out.
2007-02-09 02:30:35 · answer #5 · answered by mel m 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
the only thing I can think of why the state would take the baby is if she abused drugs while pregnant and the baby is sick because of it....if thats the case she made her own bed now she has to take responsibility for her actions.As far as you being a foster parent to the child Find out what foster home they are gonna take the kid too and go talk to them and see what you have to do to become a foster parent....but you shouldn't feel bad for her because there IS NO EXCUSE FOR ABUSING DRUGS WHEN YOU ARE PREGNANT if thats the case that is
2007-02-09 02:26:26 · answer #6 · answered by samwise25 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I would start working on your foster care license. You will likely have to pass a criminal background check and a homestudy to establish that your home is clean and safe. They will also need to see that you have enough money already to pay your own bills without using money the state could provide for the baby in order to meet your own needs. The national foster parents association website would have additional criteria on your state's rules for foster parents. http://www.nfpainc.org/aboutFP/stateReqs.cfm?page=2
2007-02-09 11:23:34 · answer #7 · answered by wisegirl1204 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Get a lawyer and speak to the child protective services that are involved in this case.
2007-02-09 02:21:13 · answer #8 · answered by Rayca 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
definitely contact a lawyer, if just for a free consultation. it will really help you get temporary custody of the baby, until all is sorted out. a lawyer specializing in family law will know exactly what to do for you.
2007-02-09 02:25:53 · answer #9 · answered by Arraya 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I do not think your friend is telling you the truth. The reason the state is trying to take her baby is the baby tested positive for drugs in it's system.
Thank you for your thumbs down, you are in denial.
2007-02-09 02:21:24 · answer #10 · answered by Sparkles 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋