[EAGLE6]

Another bump in the road today in trying to get our 2 month old nephew into our home. He was placed is fc for severe physical abuse and neglect.

We're trying to get a kinship placement and then get our regular foster home certification. The reason we were going kinship initially was to try to expedite the process. According to the CW they can get a home kinship certified in 2-3 wks, but traditional foster takes 6-9 months.

Anyhow, the CW has put our application on hold and cancelled our homestudy appt. She said the maternal grandparents filed for custody, and she wanted to know point-blank if we were serious about taking the baby why didn't we file for custody???

My nephews mother lives w/ her parents and per the CW that very well might drag out the maternal grandparents case for custody or get them denied. They were ironically turned down as the foster family for the baby because one of his fractured femurs likely occured at their home.

I just cannot believe they have the babies best interest at heart, but are trying to force us into going this route in order to get him in our home. What about all the stuff they put out there that they'd rather place w/ relatives if possible.......all seems like a front to me.

The CW said and I quote "we want to take it really slow w/ this case and see how it pans out. If someone wanted to apply for custody it would be preferable. Therefore, we're going to just sit on your application for right now, and see what happens the next few months". She then went on to say she'll revisit the idea again after the holidays, but of course if we wanted to go for custody........

My husband and I make a decent but modest living. I could afford the babies needs, however I do not have thousands and thousands of dollars up front to hire an attorney to fight this for us.

I grow more and more frustrated everyday w/ this, and feel pretty much hopeless. I honestly do not know where to turn next. I should mention this was the dept supervisor that told us all this. Ironically they called us again at the end of the day and left a message, but we were not home. Who know's what else now......