What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Pennsylvania
I am 22 years old and live in Pennsylvania. I recently graduated from college and am working at a fast food restaurant until I am able to find a better job.
My sister is 17, my brother is 15 and my youngest sister is 12, almost 13. They all live in New Jersey with our mother and grandmother.
Our mother has been neglectful for years. It started when I was about 12. I moved out because her selfishness and neglect were affecting my schoolwork and happiness. It's hard for me to go into detail here, but it is a horrible environment to be in. That house is a mess and smells, but if my siblings were happy there I would not be considering this so seriously. Our grandmother does not create a healthy environment for them. For example, the 17-year-old told me that she has been falling asleep in classes because she keeps her up extremely late to do work on her side. (The house is split in two, an apartment-like side our grandmother resides in and a larger section that everyone else is in.)
Recently, DFS came to the house and threatened to remove them from their care. They then gave them an extension to clean the house. They even specified that my siblings not do a large portion of the work. I guess that they came out partially because of that or my siblings told them that those adults do next to nothing. That is completely true.
Our mother is on disablity and has made little to no effort to improve her condition. She uses it as an excuse to do nothing. Our grandmother had to retire early due to a miriad of illnesses. She is able to drive, but she is the only one who can. I am unsure how long she is able to continue, since she says she needs my siblings to help her do things like shower and flush the toilet.
They have let me know that they do not want to live there. I was told that living with strangers would be strange, but they'd rather do that than live there. They are unhappy, and as a big sister I need to help them. I am accepting the possibility that they cannot live with me. I have to try though.
They are not going to just give them up. I learned that when I moved out and in with my dad.
I want to take custody of them, and I know now that they'd prefer that. I am hoping to gain permanent custody, since I firmly believe that they would be much happier.
I am not concerned with whether or not those adults like me after this. I am concerned about the possibility of them keeping my siblings from me, so I wouldn't know how they are if this does not go as planned.
I am planning to call the social worker who came to that house to tell her what I know and that I see no hope of the situation improving. I need her to know that they do not want to live there, and that I believe that it would be in their best interest for me to take custody of them.
What do you think would be my chances of succeeding? How should I approach this? I'm very worried and a bit scared, but I'm trying very hard to keep that in check. I need them to be happy. I can't let them live the way they are. I want them to be able live like normal, happy kids, or as close to normal as possible.
I am 22 years old and live in Pennsylvania. I recently graduated from college and am working at a fast food restaurant until I am able to find a better job.
My sister is 17, my brother is 15 and my youngest sister is 12, almost 13. They all live in New Jersey with our mother and grandmother.
Our mother has been neglectful for years. It started when I was about 12. I moved out because her selfishness and neglect were affecting my schoolwork and happiness. It's hard for me to go into detail here, but it is a horrible environment to be in. That house is a mess and smells, but if my siblings were happy there I would not be considering this so seriously. Our grandmother does not create a healthy environment for them. For example, the 17-year-old told me that she has been falling asleep in classes because she keeps her up extremely late to do work on her side. (The house is split in two, an apartment-like side our grandmother resides in and a larger section that everyone else is in.)
Recently, DFS came to the house and threatened to remove them from their care. They then gave them an extension to clean the house. They even specified that my siblings not do a large portion of the work. I guess that they came out partially because of that or my siblings told them that those adults do next to nothing. That is completely true.
Our mother is on disablity and has made little to no effort to improve her condition. She uses it as an excuse to do nothing. Our grandmother had to retire early due to a miriad of illnesses. She is able to drive, but she is the only one who can. I am unsure how long she is able to continue, since she says she needs my siblings to help her do things like shower and flush the toilet.
They have let me know that they do not want to live there. I was told that living with strangers would be strange, but they'd rather do that than live there. They are unhappy, and as a big sister I need to help them. I am accepting the possibility that they cannot live with me. I have to try though.
They are not going to just give them up. I learned that when I moved out and in with my dad.
I want to take custody of them, and I know now that they'd prefer that. I am hoping to gain permanent custody, since I firmly believe that they would be much happier.
I am not concerned with whether or not those adults like me after this. I am concerned about the possibility of them keeping my siblings from me, so I wouldn't know how they are if this does not go as planned.
I am planning to call the social worker who came to that house to tell her what I know and that I see no hope of the situation improving. I need her to know that they do not want to live there, and that I believe that it would be in their best interest for me to take custody of them.
What do you think would be my chances of succeeding? How should I approach this? I'm very worried and a bit scared, but I'm trying very hard to keep that in check. I need them to be happy. I can't let them live the way they are. I want them to be able live like normal, happy kids, or as close to normal as possible.
