[homesteadma]

We have filed for temp custody of a relatives abused infant. We are in the process of having an expedited home study done. We are dealing with two different social workers, one from the county where the baby lives and one from ours. We discussed adoption with our county's sw when she came for the home study visit, and she acted like that would be wonderful if we were to adopt this baby girl. I called the other case worker and told her we'd had the homestudy visit and that we were going ahead with a plan to eventually adopt, if this becomes a possibility. She said, "Why would you do that?" in a very negative tone of voice. I explained that we wanted to secure her future with us and our other children, that we didn't want any chance of other family members coming up in 2, 5, or 10 years after they'd "gotten their lives together" and deciding to try to get custody of her from us. The baby's sw acted very negative, like there is no reason for us to do this, even though the general consensus is that the parents will have rights terminated for severe abuse. They haven't been to court yet, its set for approx two months. Why would the baby's sw act this way? Any advice here would be greatly appreciated. We're totally new to all this, and don't know much at all about the nuances involved.

[MamaS]

Originally Posted by homesteadma

.I explained that we wanted to secure her future with us and our other children, that we didn't want any chance of other family members coming up in 2, 5, or 10 years after they'd "gotten their lives together" and deciding to try to get custody of her from us.

I've been there and done that, with Spiderman.
I don't know why the caseworker in the child's county would react that way, unless she feels there is a chance for reunification. I do think you are right to pursue adoption for the very reasons you listed. If the other family members "get their act together" down the road, you can have an open adoption. However, both the child and you deserve the security of permanancy.