[mylilangels]

hey guys..been a long time since i have been here..my friend who also fosters here in my county with me called me w/ a ques tonight..hopefully you can shed some light on this for me. her foster girl who is 16(will be 17 in aug) is about 3mths pregnant. she doesn't want dfcs to get her baby though and wants to be emancipated so a private family can adopt this baby..is this possible? we're worried dfcs will move her to a home for preg. teens..we just quit fostering actually, to much racial division here in this county, and the ppl we're suppose to work with act like they can treat us anyway they want..so this teen wanted us to adopt her baby through our atty, but we dunno if this can happen..please give me any info you can..thanks so much

[ca-bigsister]

I would ask your attorney for the specifics because he/she should know the intricacies of the law in your state- but make sure it is an attorney who specializes in adoption law - not just a general/civil attorney.

[Happy123]

Our former foster daughter gave birth at 14 and gave the baby up for adoption. She contacted an adoption agency before telling CPS so that it was already in the works. I would have her contact an adoption agency to find out her options. They may also be able to assist in the adoption process if she decides to place w/ you.
Good Luck,
Happy123

[stevenstwin]

She's definitely thinking right on this one - but I agree that she will have to contact an attorney to be sure of the specifics. Where I am, I don't THINK that Children's Services could take that baby just becasue the mom is a foster child herself - I think they could only do so if she kept it and neglected or abused it. I do work with a woman who adopted that way - her foster teen got pregnant, and asked HER to adopt the baby - the only thing was that she had to be immediately removed from my co-worker and put in a differnt foster home and get counselling to be sure that it really WAS her decision and not pressure from the foster mom.

[sdiedre]

My first foster child (will be leaving this Fri) was the son of a girl who was in foster care when she gave birth. HE was not considered in care until after she aged out, and at that time they only put him in care until she had a home, job, etc.

[RavenSong]

In the state of California, a baby born to a foster child is NOT automatically made a ward of the court. There has to be abuse or neglect for that to happen.

I was a foster child, as well as a ward of the court, when I became pregnant at 16 years of age. I remember the caseworker specifically telling my mother that my child would not be made a ward of the court just because I was one. My mom was disappointed, but she cheered up several months later when I decided to relinquish him at birth.

[Pat laPier]

I would talk to a lawyer for sure. It depends on the laws in your state. What I have seen in our state, if a child is in foster care and gives birth, the baby can remain with her sometimes but DSS takes custody at birth as mom is already in care. Because she is a teen and pregnant doesn't mean she must go to a maternity home if there is a foster parent willing and able to be there for her. Then once they age out, it depends on the situation if mom can take the baby with her.

[athikers]

She should have the right to voluntarily reliquish the baby at birth to whomever. I would speak to your lawyer.