[EAGLE6]

Well, we are quickly approaching the 1 month mark since my nephew has been in care. We did meet w/ an attorney on Friday. Basically, he pushed filing for custody- yay just what social services wants.

Yesterday I also got to speak w/ a statewide advocacy groups who then also put me in contact w/ their local rep. Turns out my problem is a common problem for the county my nephew is in. They too suggested we just file for custody if we truly want our nephew.

Seems the common tune here is "just petition for custody of the baby"..........

I've been leaving daily phone calls to all 4 of the cw's (1 being the supervisor) I know working the case. Of course they do not call me back. I leave my messages simple: who I am, who I'm calling in regards to, want an update on the paperwork, ect.

My husband essentially gave me a dealine of this Friday. Either I make headway by then, OR we're filing for custody. It's getting to the point we just want our nephew here. I know it's caving, but our hearts truly just want the baby placed here, we miss him so much.

One interesting side note though, my BIL called my husband today. He said he had just come from a meeting w/ the lead caseworker. He was told by that caseworker that they will be moving the baby to our house sometime this month (mostly likely in the next 2 weeks), and that his visitation locations and schedule will be changing w/ the move. Who knows if this is true or not, or why they'd tell him and not give us any of this info. Well, I do understand he's the dad and should know, but if they are TRULY working towards moving him here, you'd think they'd start working w/ us.

I know the last time I actually got to speak w/ the supervising CW on the phone she stated she really wanted to see where the maternal grandparents custody hearing went first. Instead of making multiple moves for my nephew. These are the grandparents that have #1- my nephew's mom living w/ them, #2- have had CPS involved 2 times w/ other grandchildren living in their home being suspected of neglect and abuse in the last 3 years, and #3- work out of town 4 days a week. So, it looks highly unlikely they'll be granted custody- at least not this round. The supervisor did tell me that if they were not granted custody she'll work on moving him here.......however I do not take her at her word. She's mislead us too many times already. That hearing is in 13 day's which would fit in the timeframe my BIL was told today.

Positive note my nephews body cast came off today..... I was happy to hear that. It appears both femurs are healing nicely.

We have very little contat these day's w/ my BIL-- however he does seem to call once every 7-10 days to update us on the baby's health. He does realize though that if the baby is moved here, we will comply 110% w/ whatever CPS tells us is allowed for both him and his ex-girlfriend in regards to phone calls and visits. For the time being any bit of info is nice to hear........

[Yash]

Thanks for the update. I'm praying everything works out.

[CaddoRose]

Hopefully the move will be made asap. It would be great to have him home for Christmas.

[mommy2fiveplus]

Stay strong on the foster v. custody aspect. Don't let your desire to have him placed w/ you immediately allow you to be bullied into filing for custody, it would really be akin to shooting yourself in the foot and probably do the child a diservice as well. He would not get as much consideration/interventions as he needs (if any) and you would get next to zero support (mental, legal and financial). In the end it could really end up devestating his future.

Good Luck and I too hope you can get him home before the holidays. Bless you for stepping up early and strongly to help your relative, I wish more bio family's realized the value in those actions.