[mommy4life64]

I have a cousin who I've been trying to get since april (he was born in march). As soon as I found out about him I tried to get him. I was told that I would get him this month. Everything was going good until today. I called his social worker and she tells me now that the foster parents he's with want to adopt him and his older brother. They don't even know his older brother and he doesn't know them. I need to know what I should do. I've been fighting for this little boy since he was a month old. I don't want to give up on him. What should I do? Should I take them to court and fight for custody? I'm a single mother and the foster parent is married of course. I don't think that anything that is happening is fair. I need help fast.

[locoenlacabeza]

Most of the time the state will go with the family members as long as everything in the home study checks out and background check. There are times that they do go with the foster parents for various reasons. One big thing for them may be keeping the siblings together.

[mommy4life64]

I'm more than willing to take both of them so they can both stay in the family.

[twinflana]

have they done your homestudy already? This has to be done in order for him to be placed with you. In my experience they normally do it within a month of the relative showing interest. If it has been done and you are getting the run around I would recommend calling an attorney. If it hasnt been done then I would call the caseworker's supervisor and inform him/her that you are being ignored.

[mommy4life64]

I've talked to everyone's supervisor and no one has done anything. I'm gonna fight for both of them.

[Hadley2]

Are you in the same state as the child?

[Chancey]

Find out who the child's attorney is, talk with them. Talk to the CASA worker. If you can't hire a lawyer right away, go to the next court appointment. Bring it up in front of the judge. ALSO, write it down!!! Phoning is not good enough, send emails to everyone, then it has to go on record. If you can talk to the parents, have them bring it up to the judge. Try anything.

[mrstkg1]

Dear Mommy4life64,

Something weird is going on. All the children that I have had, the first thing that happens is a family search. That happened very quickly and the children were placed with family as soon as possible. It could take a matter of 4 to 6 weeks, but not any longer than that, except of course if you are in another state, or juristiction. But even then.... Make more noise, they should have done a home study, that is to say make visit to your home, and do background checks. If that isn't happening, I would say that they are not taking your request seriously, and the longer the child stays with the foster family, the harder it is to change it. I would say kick up some more dust and see if you can get to the bottom of it.

Good luck, I know this must be very hard on you.

[locoenlacabeza]

I second what mrstkg1 says, in all of my cases the state looked for family above and beyond. In one case we fought the state tooth and nail because they were planning on placing kids with family members that had admittedly had previous CPS allegations and had fled the particular state before anything could be done. And the state was still willing to place these kids in that environment. We ended up with the kids needless to say but it does go to show how adamant they usually are about placing with family.

[TAC]

that doesn't make sense to me...family is usually always favored...have you been homestudied and approved as a foster parent...if so it would seem that you would be first to be considered...

Ask questions as to why the foster parents have preference...marriage alone should not be the issue..talk to casa too..

pat