What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Florida
I adopted a 15 year old from foster care and she has turned out to be a juvenile delinquent. What can I do? I am questioning my decision to adopt. Is there a program she can be put in?
She is currently in trouble and the courts are trying to impose parental sanctions on me! I've only had custody of her for a little over a year and the adoption was finalized the 8th of August. How is it that I'm responsible for the behavior she learned while in foster care? She was shifted from home to home, was sexually abused, and this is NOT her first brush with the law. Her mother is currently incarcerated and the majority of her natural family are convicted felons. No one would keep her except me. I thought I was doing a good thing.
I'm not a wealthy person. I cannot afford to pay restitution to her victim. I can't even afford an attorney without trying to mortgage my home, which probably won't work since I'm disabled and don't work - I only get a small check each month to live on, even though my home is paid for.
My family tried to warn me but I was so optimistic. I figured since I don't work I would have time for the child. Little did I know, when teenagers in the foster care system get away from their homes, they tend to go berzerk!
I can't believe the mess I'm in. I feel so bad for the child but she has no conscience obviously. She thinks the world owes her. She fooled the heck out of me! I know it sounds cruel, but just like a used car needing a bunch of repairs, I got a "lemon."
Where do I turn for help? The foster care people no longer are involved. They actually couldn't wait to get her adopted - she had been in the system since 2002. And had been getting in trouble for the past 3 years, so I'm told.
I adopted a 15 year old from foster care and she has turned out to be a juvenile delinquent. What can I do? I am questioning my decision to adopt. Is there a program she can be put in?
She is currently in trouble and the courts are trying to impose parental sanctions on me! I've only had custody of her for a little over a year and the adoption was finalized the 8th of August. How is it that I'm responsible for the behavior she learned while in foster care? She was shifted from home to home, was sexually abused, and this is NOT her first brush with the law. Her mother is currently incarcerated and the majority of her natural family are convicted felons. No one would keep her except me. I thought I was doing a good thing.
I'm not a wealthy person. I cannot afford to pay restitution to her victim. I can't even afford an attorney without trying to mortgage my home, which probably won't work since I'm disabled and don't work - I only get a small check each month to live on, even though my home is paid for.
My family tried to warn me but I was so optimistic. I figured since I don't work I would have time for the child. Little did I know, when teenagers in the foster care system get away from their homes, they tend to go berzerk!
I can't believe the mess I'm in. I feel so bad for the child but she has no conscience obviously. She thinks the world owes her. She fooled the heck out of me! I know it sounds cruel, but just like a used car needing a bunch of repairs, I got a "lemon."
Where do I turn for help? The foster care people no longer are involved. They actually couldn't wait to get her adopted - she had been in the system since 2002. And had been getting in trouble for the past 3 years, so I'm told.
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