Keeping Siblings Together

[StepMommy79]

What is the name of your state? We are in MO child in question is in TN.
My husband and I have custody of my step-son after he was taken from bio-mom and placed in foster care. Bio-mom also has another child whom is not my husbands. SS's sister is still in foster care and the foster parents want to adopt her. My husband and I have inquired as to weather or not we can adopt her to keep the kids together. So the state is having a meeting to evaluate weather or not to allow us to adopt ss's sister. Does the courts generally prefer to keep siblings together? Or will the fact that the child has been with the foster parents for a little over a year be a factor. I don't know if this matters, but the child in question is 13 and wants to live with us and her brother. Thanks in advance for any feedback!

I live in Missouri and am also in the same situation as you, except the sibling also lives here in Missouri. I have asked the questions several times to our lawyer and case workers and they all tell me that the biological family USUALLY has first rights, before the home of the sibling. I was diappointed to hear this, but maybe for you the situation will be different. Is there any family that wants the child, either paternal or maternal?

[StepMommy79]

No, the only people who were wanting to adopt SS's sister were the foster parents who are no blood relation. SS's sister really doesn't have anyone. Both the parents rights were terminated. The only family she has is a great grandmother who has expressed no interest in taking her in and an aunt who is still a minor. To my knowledge she really has no family to speak of. The little family she had have all passed away.
An update to my situation:
We had a weekend visit with SS's sister and it went wonderfully. She mentioned several times how much she wanted to come home with us and she still considered my hubby her daddy (he was her step dad at one time). Apparently when she got home she had a long talk with the foster perents. She told them she wanted to be with us so the foster father told her that he wants her happy and if that is what she wants then he will personally pack her and bring her up here. So now we are just waiting on the state to give the ok for her to come home with us.

Good luck in your situation. I personally think that in most situations the kids should be together if at all possible. SS and his sister are very close and I am thrilled that we are going to be given the opportunity to keep these kids together!

Oh, that is great, I am so glad that the ss will have a family to call her own and not feel like an outcast anymore. Good luck to you too!!