Custody issue....?

Question

Ok here we go.... 2 weeks ago i filed for custody (I'm 21) of my younger cousing, she's 17. She was living with my grandmother (is 60yrs old). My cousin has been coming to my house 4 or 5 days a week including just about every weekend because my grandmother refuses to spend money on shampoo/conditioner/soap/toothbrush/feminine products (etc) and refuses to give my cousin money to wash her laundry or even go with her to the laundry place. before i stepped in and starting helping my cousin, she was only able to wash her clothes once every 2-3months, i bought her a toothbrush since the last one she had was 2years ago, and i also bought her shampoo and all that stuff. my grandmother is on welfare for taking care of my cousin, she has been on welfare her whole life for her children, i think she's only worked 1 job years ago. anyway the point is she takes the welfare check and doesnt buy anything my cousine NEEDS (forget wants... its necessities!) so of course i started pickin up the slack

which i learned from dept of social services (dss) wasnt the best thing to do, i shouldve called them first. besides that, things have been gettin worse with the physical and emptional abuse that my grandmother has been putting my cousin through. she is now telling my cousin that she should get pregnant so that when my cousin turns 18 she can collect welfare and my grandmother can live with her, she is arranging for guys to come over the house and date my cousin. this is where enough is enough. my cousin was at my house one saturday telling me what was happening and how she didnt want to go home anymore. at the same time my grandmother called and said she had "company at the house waiting for amanda" (amanda is my cousin) so i asked my grandmother who the company was and she refused to tell me, and demanded i bring my cousin home. so i told her i would call her back and after we hung up i asked my cousin who was waiting for her at the house and she said it was another guy. as we were

talking the phone rang again and it was my grandmother, this time my cousin answered and told her that she didnt want to go home. so my grandmother started flipping out on her, in which my cousin handed the phone to my fiancee and he was tryin to calm my grandmother down, which wasnt workin, because she called the cops on us and told them we were holding amanda and wouldnt let her go home. this was not the case, my cousin was refusing to go home, and would any normal person force a kid to go home knowing whats waiting for them? i doubt it. so anyway the cops came to my house and made my cousin go home, said that my grandmother was crying sayin that she misses my cousin (which is bullsh*t). the cops told me my best bet was to go down and file for custody on monday, since in the state of Massachusetts legal age is 18 and my cousin is only 17, so she cannot make the decision to not go home. so she went home and turns out my grandmother was slappin her around for not comin home, so on

monday my cousin went with me to the court and i filed for custody, however they wouldnt hear the case as an emergency, and gave me a date for 2wks later. my cousin told the lady at the court that she was afraid what would happen if she went home now, and the lady at the court suggested we go down to dept of social services (dss) and have my cousin file a 51a form of child abuse and neglect. so we did. dss removed my cousin out of the house for 10 days while they do their investigation, my cousin is currently staying with my mother. dss should be coming by this wk to inspect my home since this is where my cousin wants to live. they also said that since i filed for custody if they decide to put my cousin in my home, they would make a reccommendation to the judge to turn over custody. now we are just waiting to see what dss decides and the court date is the 14th for custody. i dont have a lawyer... do you think i need one? whats my chances of beating this? my grandmother is the type to

make up lies about me, even when she called the cops she tried implying that i was kidnapping my cousin. i have barely eaten since this whole thing started, and i cant sleep. i just need some major advice, ive never dealt with courts before. im very nervous. i have no criminal record, make descent money, i am self employed so my hours are flexible. i just dont know how to prepare myself both mentally and physically for this.

Answer 1

Seems like you have taken all the right steps. I would say you have a pretty good chance after all your cousin is old enough to say what's going on so it will be an up hill battle for your grandmother. If they put her in the custody of your mother for 10 days after your cousin filed a form of abuse they are taking things very seriously. Does your mother want custody? If she does that could be a problem for you? I don't think an attorney could do more for you after all it's up to their investigation now an attorney can't change anything there. Make sure your cousin is enrolled in school show an education plan for her. You are a very good example of family stepping in when they feel a child is being neglected or abused, we need more of you out there. My hat goes off to you, I wish you and your cousin the very best of luck

Answer 2

you are not only a good person but also a good family member. you go girl! i would have done the same thing. your grandma deserves a slap on the hand. THAT IS NOT RIGHT! she can get into trouble for that. i don't know how far you want or willing to go with this cause if her being your grandma but push this as far as your willing and wanting to. this is something serious. your still young and so is she. i RESPECT YOU FOR TAKING HER IN. she is NOT an aminal. she is a human being and everybody needs their necessities and even simple or small things that they would like to have. if i knew yall and lived close i would be gladly to help yall out. but i hope that you do get custody! good luck
oh my gosh, i feel you you guys. i would give you a big internet hug....heheh. in the state of georgis you can be on your own at age 17 but the parent is still legal for the teens responsiblities. at 18 she go go and never come back. how much longer does she have till she is 18? she needs to talk to the police herself and tell them whats going on or even defcs or wellcare. you need to help her make a decision. NOONE needs this and its not right. family or not. it evan may get worse the longer she stays there. amanda needs to start standing up forself. please help her. if she doesn't go to someone then you are the only one who can help her cause she tells you everything.
i would like to know what the outcome of this would be. if you don't mind let me know what is it when things get settle down. im praying for yall! im also cerious

Answer 3

Hi Hon...

very kind of you to help your cousin. she probably could have gone to child welfare and the police long ago to report her grandmother's abuse.. i hope she will testify about the way her grandmother has treated her at the court date.

i can't see why she isnt allowed to stay with you temporarily until then... or why she didn't tell the police what was going on when they came to pick her up?

but i surely do hope things work out! you're a sweetheart. keep the faith. sending hugs

Answer 4

God bless you for helping your cousin.

Do all that you can do.

When your cousin turns 18, have her get as far away from your grandmother and NEVER go back no matter what! Do not let the grandmother live with you or your cousin.

Answer 5

The people who deal with issues like this often get a bad rap but most of them are people who are very caring and knowledgeable. A lot of times they can read the situation and tell who is lying. They really do want the kids to get into the best situation for them.

Just present your case in a straightforward manner and tell it like it is. Don't exaggerate or lie. You should be OK.