[hbarron]

Hi, I am new to this and was hoping to get some help from anyone who may have experienced this or know of someone who has experienced this. Any advice is appreciated.

I have a family member who was fostering to adopt 3 little boys (siblings). Parents rights were terminated and over a year ago the only qualified person to take the boys was a paternal grandfather, who stated he didnt' thnk he could do it because he was too old and it would be a lot of work. He also stated that he was happy the boys were being placed in such a good family.

Now at the eleventh hour, the Grandfather has stepped up (almost 2 years after the boys have been in the same foster home) and wants the boys back. The boys were of course ripped out of the home a couple of days ago.

Need advice on what can be done and if there is any possibility of getting them back.

[MommyWend]

hbarron, No doubt this is incredibly hard on your extended family--and even harder on the children. I'm so sorry for you all.

There must be a special circumstance because in CA the adoptive parents are identified before parental rights are terminated, and I've never heard of Social Services switching placements after termination like that. So my first advice is to ask for some straight answers from the social worker about why that was.

Next, request a bonding/attachment study. This is a report done by a social worker or therapist who observes the children with their foster parents and separately with the grandfather. This study will likely show that they have an attachment with their foster parents and not as much with their grandfather. Although a study like this can be ignored, the judge may consider it.

Best wishes as you and your family members advocate for these boys.

[Biblemom]

They may not be able to request the bonding/attachment study now that the children are no longer in that foster home. The fp could have filed in court due to the length of time they had them, but again since they are no long the fp I am not sure they can do that either. If they know the GAL or CASA they should try to contact them. Good luck!