Step-father rights?

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SafeHaven

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My husband and I are foster parents to our three grandchildren. A fourth grandchild by the same mother, my daughter, was adopted 7 years ago.

My daughter and her husband had lived in Arizona. He deserted the family when my daughter was pregnant with his child, and had 2 older siblings, one of which he fathered.

We purchased a home for her here and supported them for almost 2 years. DCFS removed the children from her, at which point we took the children and became a licensed foster home.

After almost a year, with the case still in the courts, the husband suddenly reappeared. Subsequently, he moved in with my daughter again, and together they have been trying to get the children back.

DCFS determined the children could never go back just to my daughter because of her psychological profile. They decided they COULD go back to the husband though, now that they are together.

They also determined that the children could NEVER be alone with my daughter.

DCFS decided to return the children, three weeks after my daughter was hospitalized for a psychological issue to the step-father.

We, however, contend that the step-father should not have custody of the oldest, the one he did not father.

We just retained an attorney (because the timing here was shocking! DCFS had said it would be a LONG time before the children would be returned).

DCFS says as long as he is the step-father, he should be able to get all of the children.

This is shocking. He hasn't supported his children. The child that isn't his hasn't lived with him for the past 4 years....since he was barely a year old.

Should my daughter and husband split up, which is very likely, what happens to this poor child?

Additional info: Neither parent works. They just NEED the children back so they can get welfare, and health benefits and food stamps. THEN they can be quite happy! This is what they openly tell everyone. What sad reasons to need your children back.
 
Presumably the child will go with the stepfather; it's not guaranteed but if DCFS makes that recommendation to the court, that will carry an awful lot of weight.

Your attorney is really the only person who can really help you in this case; you have some quite complex issues.

I do understand where you're coming from though.
 
God bless you both for being there for your grandchildren.

Hang in there, DFCS (or their counterpart) in all 50 states has a reputation for getting it wrong, more than they get it right!

Work with your lawyer for your day in court, where justice will be done for those children.

You might want to line up a couple of people who are privvy to the selfish touts put forth by your daughter and her male compadre.

Their expressed desire for welfare and food stamps (pimping their children), would be very helpful to the court's ruling.
 
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