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Originally Posted By cheri

We have guardianship of a 1 year old child. Parents are in prison and won't be gettining out for some time. We feel the parent's are not good for the child! They have been into drugs for 18 years. They both have a long history of drugs and theft. Anyone know how to adopt the child without the parents permission? Who do we go talk too? Welfare? Childrens services? Help, we're afraid for the well being of the child! The parents have shown no remorse! thanks for any info. We live in OR

[Archive]

Originally Posted By a mom

Contact an attorney! He/She will know how to go about it. Good luck.. the child belongs with you not waiting for parents to get out of prision.

[bujd02]

I definitely think you should see an attorney. They will know the specific requirements for your state. But usually there is a way for you to sue for the termination of the parents' rights even though they are in prison and then petition to adopt. Be forewarned, it will be expensive and it could be a real fight. We are somewhat in the same boat. We have temporary custody of my husband's cousin's daughter. She is 12 mo old. CPS became involved for abuse and neglect at 4 mo and she was removed at 9 mo when her mom OD'd. The mom was taken to the hospital and revived, and she is now trying to get custody back. However, she is in jail. Misty, that's the little girl, has been with us only 6 weeks. The probation officer thinks the mom will probably be in jail for quite some time, but the mom plans to fight our effort to keep Misty with us from jail! It is totally unfair to Misty to tie up her life while her mother sits in jail. It would be so much better for her if she could make a clean break with her mother and start life anew with us. We were told we could probably get permanent custody, but we think the state should terminate the mother's rights so Misty doesn't have a constant reminder of how much she suffered as a baby and so she doesn't have deal with the trauma of visiting a stranger when her mother gets out of prison. CPS agrees with us and I think they're going to try to terminate. I want so badly to protect this little girl, even if it is from her own mother.

[kcurran]

I am not in the same position as you folks are but have heard that often times when the parents say they will fight the order of tpr(termination of parental rights) that they often don't bother.

Also check around for attornies -the costs vary greatly.

Good luck and God Bless you for looking out for the children.

Kim