Afraid for my grand-daughter

[Concerned GP]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? California

Can a violent felon adopt his 10 year old step-daughter if his wife (the birth mother) is in support of the adoption, and the birth father has given up his legal rights?

 

[Isis1]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? California

Can a violent felon adopt his 10 year old step-daughter if his wife (the birth mother) is in support of the adoption, and the birth father has given up his legal rights?

it would depend. what was the conviction?

 

[Concerned GP]

Attempted murder

 

[Proserpina]

Attempted murder

How and when did Dad terminate his rights?

 

[Concerned GP]

The birth father wished to not be involved from the beginning, and hasn't supported or been involved in his daughters life in any way since she was around 3 years of age, even though the courts mandated that he pay child support at that time. That's when he disappeared for good and even the judicial system has not been able to find him. The birth mother has just recently filed abandonment papers with the court. It is certain that the birth father will not contest or even respond.

 

[Proserpina]

The birth father wished to not be involved from the beginning, and hasn't supported or been involved in his daughters life in any way since she was around 3 years of age, even though the courts mandated that he pay child support at that time. That's when he disappeared for good and even the judicial system has not been able to find him. The birth mother has just recently filed abandonment papers with the court. It is certain that the birth father will not contest or even respond.

OK.

So, are you concerned about your granddaughter's safety with Mom's husband or just finding out if adoption is possible?

 

[Concerned GP]

Due to his personality type, the adoption papers would create ownership for him. We have been able to quietly provide some influence up to this point to keep her physically safe, but the mental abuse is another matter. When he cuts off any visitation (which I'm sure he will) due to his perceived ownership, I will then be very afraid for her safety due to his extremely strong manipulation of her mother. I constantly work on the safety issue with other professional sources, so I guess what I really need to know is if his background can assist in any way to stop the adoption, or do I just have to sit back and watch it happen because grandparents have little or no rights.

 

[Proserpina]

Due to his personality type, the adoption papers would create ownership for him. We have been able to quietly provide some influence up to this point to keep her physically safe, but the mental abuse is another matter. When he cuts off any visitation (which I'm sure he will) due to his perceived ownership, I will then be very afraid for her safety due to his extremely strong manipulation of her mother. I constantly work on the safety issue with other professional sources, so I guess what I really need to know is if his background can assist in any way to stop the adoption, or do I just have to sit back and watch it happen because grandparents have little or no rights.

Here's the problem - she's going to be living with Mom's husband either way. Has he been diagnosed with a personality disorder?

How will preventing the adoption keep things safe?

 

[Concerned GP]

It keeps the safety net in her life and a place that she can turn when she needs someone. When we're shut out because he can legally demand it on his own, she will have none. So what I am getting from your replies is that there is no law that would stop a convicted violent felon from adopting a child in the state of California?? Since New York doesn't let felons adopt, I thought maybe other state statutes might do the same, but I couln't find anything for California, I guess that's why. Thanks for your assistance.

 

[Proserpina]

It keeps the safety net in her life and a place that she can turn when she needs someone. When we're shut out because he can legally demand it on his own, she will have none. So what I am getting from your replies is that there is no law that would stop a convicted violent felon from adopting a child in the state of California?? Since New York doesn't let felons adopt, I thought maybe other state statutes might do the same, but I couln't find anything for California, I guess that's why. Thanks for your assistance.

Felons can have custody in CA - this could suggest that a felon may be able to adopt a step-child.

If the court is satisfied that the felony does not endanger the child I do think they will be able to go ahead.

 

[Just Blue]

Felons can have custody in CA - this could suggest that a felon may be able to adopt a step-child.

If the court is satisfied that the felony does not endanger the child I do think they will be able to go ahead.

Custody of ones own child and the state allowing a VIOLENT felon to adopt is quite different. I would defer to CC on this one.

 

[Proserpina]

Custody of ones own child and the state allowing a VIOLENT felon to adopt is quite different. I would defer to CC on this one.

Yes, you're right - but it may be important to know when the felony occurred, too.

Go poke CC - we need her

I've seen a couple of posts on message boards where the poster does claim that their new spouse was able to adopt the stepchild - but these seemed to involve older felonies (two were violent apparently) of more than 5 years ago. And as we know message boards are really not the most reliable of sources

 

[Hisbabygirl77]

Yes, you're right - but it may be important to know when the felony occurred, too.

Go poke CC - we need her

I've seen a couple of posts on message boards where the poster does claim that their new spouse was able to adopt the stepchild - but these seemed to involve older felonies (two were violent apparently) of more than 5 years ago. And as we know message boards are really not the most reliable of sources

Grr I just read about this the other day and now I cant find the darn website but it did state that in california people with a murder conviction can NOT adopt in California. Now I will go back to searching for the site.

 

[Proserpina]

Per OP it wasn't a murder conviction, HBG.

 

[Hisbabygirl77]

Per OP it wasn't a murder conviction, HBG.

Your right I dont know how I missed the word before it Yes I do and it has to do with the prescription I took so I will be more careful reading tonight