Need legal help

[jeepinwelch]

Update: I have her! She finally called and is with me now. We are waiting for the sherriff's office to call back to see where we go from here. Thanks for the help! I might be needing a family attorney soon so if anyone knows one shoot me a pm.
I need to be directed to people I should contact concerning custody of a runaway teen. It's a long story so I will share the condensed version in hopes someone might know who I should talk to.
This 15 year old was left by her mother in the hands of her stepfather. The mother gave temporary guardianship to the stepfather that was good for a year. That was 4 years ago. The stepfather has remaried and the new wife is not getting along with the teen. The teen has plans of running away and the stepfather is not discouraging it. I would like to have her live with us but at this point I don't know how to do that legally. The real mother told the teen she had no place in her life for her. Unfortunatey the real mother lives in another state now and she totally hates me (probably because I wasn't too nice to her about her decision to ditch her kid). So basically, no one has legal rights to this child. Where should I go to get help for her?

[ZappBranigan]

Jesus, this poor kid, being treated like a barge full of medical waste that nobody wants! I swear some "parents" (and I use the term loosely) need a serious kick in the head. :mad:

Anyway, sounds like Mom has sole legal custody? Does the girl have a social worker or case worker? I think your first stop should probably be a consultation with an attorney who specializes in family law. I can't think of one off the top of my head but maybe someone else here can chime in?

Might also check with the Child Welfare services in your County.

Good luck and God bless you!

EDITED TO ADD: Here is the link for the El Paso County Child and Adult Protective Services web site:

http://dhs.elpasoco.com/CAPS

[Frank Z]

Call the Office of Guardian Ad Litem

102 S Weber St
Colorado Springs, CO 80903
(719) 633-3411


http://www.courts.state.co.us/supct/committees/courtimprovementdocs/dnchildrens.pdf

[Dave McDonald]

I need to be directed to people I should contact concerning custody of a runaway teen. It's a long story so I will share the condensed version in hopes someone might know who I should talk to.
This 15 year old was left by her mother in the hands of her stepfather. The mother gave temporary guardianship to the stepfather that was good for a year. That was 4 years ago. The stepfather has remaried and the new wife is not getting along with the teen. The teen has plans of running away and the stepfather is not discouraging it. I would like to have her live with us but at this point I don't know how to do that legally. The real mother told the teen she had no place in her life for her. Unfortunatey the real mother lives in another state now and she totally hates me (probably because I wasn't too nice to her about her decision to ditch her kid). So basically, no one has legal rights to this child. Where should I go to get help for her?


I think you're on thin ice. I understand the motivation to help, and have been in a similar position before. I'd probably try to help again if faced with the same thing. I wound up alienating the entire family by sticking my nose in their business.

Maybe just offer a place to stay. If you go the legal route, it could get ugly and you've got no claim - I'd think your chances are incredibly slim. If you just contact the stepfather and offer her a place to stay for a while, he might go for it. It'd solve his problems. If the mother hears about it, just be open, honest, and nonjudgmental. Say things like "She asked, so I figured why not? She's nice to have around". Maybe even apologize for being not nice in the first place. Approach it as a temporary situation, and she's just with you 'for a while'. A year has already become 4, and you've only got three years until the kid can make up her own dang mind.

That's just an idea. Courts and kids can get really ugly and intrusive.

[jeepinwelch]

Thanks guys! I will make a few calls and see what I can come up with. It's a shame that most people take better care of their dogs than these people are taking care of this child! I know I go looking for mine if they run away from home.
If we do end up with her at least she loves 4 wheeling. She went with me on the old farts run a few years ago and loves it.

[ni0h]

Getting the law involved gets the bitch boxed in, so that she knows that if the kid runs away, she's already on record as refusing to perform her duties as legal guardian. She can either take care of the kid, give you guardianship, or go to jail.

Where's Budman when we need him?

[jeepinwelch]

Maybe just offer a place to stay.

I would love to be able to go that route but without legal guardianship we could get in a ton of trouble. We wouldn't be able to enroll her in school. If she needed medical help we wouldn't be able to get it for her. I wouldn't be able to add her to my insurance. There are a lot of reasons I would want it to be legal.

[CherryokeeXJ]

Seems to me you wouldn't get any lip from the parents since they're both indifferent. Only thing is, until she has "legal" guardianship, she'll probably be put in a foster home because it will be in "her best interest". :rolleyes:

Best of luck. Sounds like this girl is incredibly blessed to know you. :thumbsup:

[jeepinwelch]

:( We were too late. She ran last night.

[Frank Z]

Wow, sorry to hear that. I hope she turns to you for some help or guidance.

[jeepinwelch]

Thanks Frank. I have my fingers crossed that she will call me before anything really bad happens.

[Frank Z]

Let me know if we can help.

[Commander]

Since she ran, that might get social services involved. If she comes home or is brought back, have you considered offering to be a foster home for her? That might be the easiest way to her in your home, and all done legally. Just a thought.

[jeepinwelch]

Since she ran, that might get social services involved. If she comes home or is brought back, have you considered offering to be a foster home for her? That might be the easiest way to her in your home, and all done legally. Just a thought.

Unfortunately it takes about 6 months to become a licensed foster care provider. I didn't know about this situation 6 months ago and it's a bit too late to start now.

[Budman]

Do you have any idea where she ran to? If you fire me any info you have on here, I will send it to my girls to keep an eye out.

[Budman]

Getting the law involved gets the bitch boxed in, so that she knows that if the kid runs away, she's already on record as refusing to perform her duties as legal guardian. She can either take care of the kid, give you guardianship, or go to jail.

Where's Budman when we need him?

Oh Im here.

[TwoDogs]

See if you can find some her friends. She told someone where she's going. If you're going to look for her, start with friends houses. Don't ask mom and dad. One of her friends may be letting her stay, unknow to the parents. The juvies I've dealt with have a 'coconut telegraph."
Does she have a cell phone? Try to find that number.
Does she have a MySpace page? That may reveal something.
Hope you're able to contact her soon.
If you can't contact her by the end of the weekend, call law enforcement.

[ni0h]

Man, that just makes me sick.

[jeepinwelch]

Oh Im here.

Pm'd you.

[ni0h]

Me: Where's Budman when we need him?
Budman: Oh, I'm here.
Jeepinwelch: Pm'd you.

Now hold on there! I don't accept responsibility for this C-word getting shot in the face.

[jeepinwelch]

Me: Where's Budman when we need him?
Budman: Oh, I'm here.
Jeepinwelch: Pm'd you.

Now hold on there! I don't accept responsibility for this C-word getting shot in the face.

No worries. That isn't where I will be aiming! If he can't act like a man maybe he doesn't deserve to be one.:D

[ni0h]

Apparently, you're this girl's only hope. Don't risk becoming unavailable.

[Sound_Man]

Got your PM J, I have my son working on it and will have my daughter start when she gets home. The kids know more about what is going on out here than the adults.

[jeepinwelch]

Got your PM J, I have my son working on it and will have my daughter start when she gets home. The kids know more about what is going on out here than the adults.

The kids always know alot more than we give them credit for! Hopefully they know her or have friends that do. Thanks!

[Sound_Man]

Sent you another PM J.

[jeepinwelch]

I have her! She finally called and is with me now. We are waiting for the sherriff's office to call back to see where we go from here. Thanks for the help! I might be needing a family attorney soon so if anyone knows one shoot me a pm

[ni0h]

I can't help, but I can cheer.
WOOHOO!!!! WOOHOO!!!! WOOHOO!!!! WOOHOO!!!!

This one's been making me feel bad for weeks.

[osirus82]

I have her! She finally called and is with me now. We are waiting for the sherriff's office to call back to see where we go from here. Thanks for the help! I might be needing a family attorney soon so if anyone knows one shoot me a pm

I would like to say thank you for being there when most people aren't including her parents, your a SAINT and i salute you, :hail:, its nice to hear about some good news in these trying times. people like you keep the light burning bright and shows people there is always hope. your da best.


parents that act like this towards there own kids should not be allowed to have any more kids, makes me sick, I know how it is, comming from a broken home but at least my mother was there and did her best with 4 kids, still to this day i have never met/talked to my father. I hope the best for you/her and your upcomming legal battle.

[jeepinwelch]

your a SAINT

Obviously you haven't met me! :eek:

Thanks though...

[Swat]

Wow, May God bless you and her in this situation.