[kauai]

Our niece, nephew and their half-sister are weeks away from coming to live with us. They have the same mother and her rights have been terminated along with our niece and nephews father. The half-sisters father is fighting his termination because he is in jail, now he is saying that his sister or mother will take her.

They aren't really concerned with keeping the siblings together all they see is they don't want to lose another one of his kids. These kids have been through a lot and if she doesn't come with us, that will be 5 siblings she will never grow up with.

I'm wondering if the state will want to keep the siblings together like they say they do or will they give the relatives her because they are blood? Or is it soley the at the Judges descretion?

The GAL isn't sure they can pass the home-study. The family is worried we will tell them they weren't loved by them and that we won't let them be a part of her life.

Unfortunately, we are on Kaua'i and they are in Florida of all states!

[Mom2J]

kauai, can I ask you a few questions? First off, are you a blood relative of the half-sister?

With what I have seen with relative placements and half-siblings, they will try to place children with bio-families. I have seen many children split up due to many different issues.

Now, it looks so much better with you taking all 3, that a judge may have a hard time separating them. Nobody can give you a 100% answer, but we can all hope that the judge will see your keeping them together, as a best interest case. Keep fighting to have all 3-in your home. Have you thought about keeping contact with the half-sibling's extended family? This may help bolster your case of your willingness not to shut out the other family. It will also make sure this child doesn't lose even more, than she already has.

Mom2J

[kauai]

No, we aren't related to the Father.

I was just wondering what the courts do in that situation with half-siblings. The whole situation is just terrible the kids have lost so many people in their life already.

We are working with the extended family to keep the children together. We think it is all going to work out and that the 3 of them will come. We are assuring them they can still have a relationship but, told them we wont to enter into any legal arrangement with them. My husband told the grandma to put in writing what she wanted and to give it to the GAL and she'd get it to us.

I think it's just hard for them to let go because we are about 6,000 miles away.

[kauai]

quick update the kids will be placed with us in a few days. grandmother and aunt decided it best to keep kids together.

[Mom2J]

Congratulations Kauai WOW, you did all of this pretty fast. For the foster care system to work like this is remarkable.

Please keep us updated on how things are going and let us know they've arrived, safe and sound.

Congrats again,
Mom2J

[tlc4kidz]

Bless you for giving them the chance to grow up together....what a gift!! Congrats, you must be an extraordinary person !

[lambeausam]

Congratulations! I hope the move goes smoothly.

Sam

[kauai]

No, this has not been a fast process. It's been 2 yrs since the state called us to take the kids. They did a home study...Mom got the kids back. We were the back up plan. Then she messed up just as our ICPC was expiring, like to the day we found out they were gonna send the kids. They had to start the paperwork all over again plus add the half-sibling. She wasn't in the original ICPC. This was all the end of January.

So it depends on how you look at when the kids were officially removed or when they called us.

Kids were suppose to be here today, but the travel department only booked the social worker on the flight!

[spitzlvr]

Ummm... only booked the social worker???? Someone over there isn't paying attention!!!