return kids to abuser/possible molestor?

[Hattie]

What is the name of your state? Michigan

The children, ages 9 and 12, spend summers in Michigan with their father and live the rest of the year in California with their mother. The kids say the mother's live-in boyfriend abuses them physically, and he has been arrested for raping a family member. They deny that he has molested them, though the father is afraid they may have been. The said their mother instructed them not to tell their father anything about it. The police and social services say there is nothing he can do, because it is an on-going investigation. He can't afford a lawyer- does he have to send them back at the end of summer? Mother has custody, father has visitation. Thank you.

Yes- Unfortunately, he has to send them back, or face possible kidnapping charges. The best advice I can give, is to contact the Children's Services department in the county/state they live in after you return them, and tell them you suspect abuse is going on in the home. They should investigate. You can call anonymously. I've heard of it happening where one parent will call CSB on the other, and the caseworkers disregard even investigating because it sounds to them like a "custody issue". Good Luck.