Long drawn out drama story - but I need advice.

[tomnshelle]

I am in Iowa, but some GA laws may be at issue here as well.
My best friend's daughters live in GA. They are 16, 17, and 20. The 16 yr old was pregnant by 15 by a 25 yr old man. She now has a different 25 yr old boyfriend, with whom she is actively attempting to become pregnant. She has no type of health care on her nearly 18 month old child, and he is behind in his shots by at least 6 months. She has been reported to DFCS several times for his shots being behind, and for poor parenting bordering on neglect. No charges have been filed.
The oldest was a mother and married by 17, and has poor parenting skills, and has been reported to DFCS several times. No charges have been filed.
Their mother (my best friend) is in Japan as her husband is in the Air Force. Their father is nearby, and has had physical, if not legal, custody of the 2 younger girls. He has allowed both to move out and into living arrangements with their 24 and 25 yr old boyfriends.
The middle daughter has permission from both of her sisters to bring the babies to see me in Iowa this coming summer. I want to know if there is anything I can do to get custody of these children? Where and how they live it is not a safe, nurturing environment.
I do have statements from neighbors and public records of times law enforcement was called, along with DFCS, to their homes. Should I get a private attorney here and begin proceedings to have these girls declared incapable of caring for their children?
Any advice is needed.
Thx in advance.What is the name of your state?What is the name of your state?

 

[CJane]

You want custody of your best friend's GRANDCHILDREN?

The short answer, no matter how many times Grandma's House tries to tell you otherwise - there is NO CHANCE of that happening.

Even if CPS removed the kids, they're not going to send them to Iowa to live with a COMPLETE STRANGER.

 

[tomnshelle]

More details --

In actuality I am looking into this at the request of my best friend. I've known her daughters since they were in pre-school. They look to my husband and I as their "other parents."
The babies know us as Nanny and Poppy.
And I would like to get proceedings moving so that DFCS doesn't have to step in and remove them from their homes, and go to a complete stranger.
thanks for the quick response

 

[CJane]

In actuality I am looking into this at the request of my best friend. I've known her daughters since they were in pre-school. They look to my husband and I as their "other parents."
The babies know us as Nanny and Poppy.
And I would like to get proceedings moving so that DFCS doesn't have to step in and remove them from their homes, and go to a complete stranger.
thanks for the quick response

Again. Not. Going. To. Happen.

If MOM is concerned, MOM needs to get her hiney back to GA and do something about the situation. But her NOT doing something about it essentially tells the courts that she's totally OK with the whole situation... and YOU as a COMPLETE STRANGER have no more standing than I do to file for custody. No matter WHAT the kids know you as.

 

[CourtClerk]

Again. Not. Going. To. Happen.

If MOM is concerned, MOM needs to get her hiney back to GA and do something about the situation. But her NOT doing something about it essentially tells the courts that she's totally OK with the whole situation...

Well I was going to say it, but you said it for me.

Tell your best friend as candidly and as no holds barred as you can (because that's the way my friends and I speak to each other) to leave her new squeeze and get her azz back to Georgia and take care of the responsibilities that she left to go galavanting around with her new husband. If... she really cares. THIS "MOTHER" NEEDS TO COME SEE ABOUT HER KIDS AND GRANDKIDS!!!

Again... do something or do nothing.

 

[stealth2]

I have to agree with CC. IF this friend of yours is so very concerned, she needs to come back to the US to take responsibility for her minor children. I'm sure her husband will manage quite nicely on his own for a while.

 

[stealth2]

What's interesting is Mom apparently KNEW that all was not right in the world (since she lived in the same community) nearly TWO years ago, yet then elected to move halfway around the world. Nice.

What is the name of your state? Georgia
Not sure if this is the right forum for this, but please help me.
Situation is this; 14 yr old child living with father in GA, pregnant by a 26 yr old man. Father is moving man into home to help out with bills and to help take care of the baby (due in Sept. 06) DFACS has been notified and has chosen to do nothing in this matter. they determined that there is no abuse going on, and nothing to warrant removing the 14yr old from the home. There is also a 15 yr old girl there, and her current boyfriend is over 21.
Since obviously the system has failed these girls, who should the mother contact? Or does it just end here?
Mother lives in SC, and has legal custody of both girls, although they have lived with their father for the past 2 yrs. Father will not petition to amend the custody order. Says he can't afford it.
Since both girls are over 14, what weight would a judge give to their choice to live with their father?
Mother has also been told that she has the option to "call the DA" of that county in GA, to have the criminal charges against the 26yr old man dropped. She was told to call by the end of business on 6-20-06 to stop criminal proceedings against this 26yr old man.
Investigator (from the State or DFACS I do not know) informed the father and child of the mother's choice to either push forward or let it go. Is it legal for him to have told them that?
I was under the impression that when a statute such as this one was violated, it was up to the DA to make that decision.
Mother has been told by child's father that he can't afford to take care of his daughters AND a new baby, so mother is faced with either A) letting the courts decide a punishment for statutory rape; or B) allowing this baby-raper to go free so she knows her daughter is taken care of.
There has to be someone else she can contact for help in this matter.
The county they live in is rural and tight knit, and everyone knows everybody else. The head investigator of DFACS is the best friend of the grandmother of the pregnant child.
Please, the clock is ticking here.
Thank you

 

[CJane]

What's interesting is Mom apparently KNEW that all was not right in the world (since she lived in the same community) nearly TWO years ago, yet then elected to move halfway around the world. Nice.

Well, ya know... the clock was ticking and mom had to choose between allowing the situation or actually taking care of her kids... and clearly she wasn't willing to do that.