[erma]

I am the grandmother of 3 beautiful boys. My daughter's parental rights were terminated in the state of New Hampshire. We do not know if the boys remain foster children or have been adopted. Her parental rights were terminated due to "insufficient housing". We have been told this is impossible, but we have the paperwork from the state of New Hampshire to prove it. We are sick over this matter. We would have adopted the boys but we were never contacted. Now we are trying to find solutions to contest this adoption. If that is indeed what has happened. Does anyone know how to find out if children remain in the foster care system or is there a way to find out if they have been legally adopted? We would like to hire an attorney to contact the people that have our grandsons and have an attorney tell them, these boys have grandparents that love them, want them and are capable of raising them. I would appreciate any suggestions or advice someone might have.

[Camai]

I hope by now you have located your grandchildren. I suggest calling directly to the DFYS or Child Protective Services office where your daughter last lived. If you are close enough, perhaps dropping in and showing them that you are serious about finding these kids would help.

There is a case worker and others who are assigned to the case who probably would love to hear from you. They may not have known that you exist.

Many prayers for you and yours.

[twitchytally]

Erma,
i`m so sorry, simular happened to my family, it states in the childrens act that all priority must be given to keeping children within their own families, if at all possible, yet l know others who were also not sought or contacted, its diabolical, when family are willing, able, and desperately want to keep their family`s children out of foster care or adoption, and knowing well that the children will be happier with family, who they know and love. My family have been there, and it does put you in a state of hell. l hope your attorney will be relentless in going for them for you, good wishes for you. lynne

[Jensboys]

It depends much on how long the boys have been in care, whether or not your daughter specifically requested that her extended family NOT be contacted as an adoption resource. If the children have been in care longer than 6 months to a year (depending on state) then the foster parents have first option of adopting, usually. And in the best interests of the children and their bonding capactiy - probably disruption would be extremely damaging. Contact (ie pictures and visits) would probably be the best solution.

I know that in our boys situation - extended family upto and including GREAT grandparents were contacted, as well as great aunts/uncles asking them if they wished to adopt before our boys were released.

Is there a specific reason you werent contacted or you didnt contact your daughter during the period of time that the children were in foster care? Those reasons would all be taken into account. If the adoption is completed, legally you are NOT related to the children and as such have no rights. Sad I know, but true.