My question involves a child custody case from the State of: Alabama/California

My girlfriend and I are seeking information on how we can get custody of her 2 children ages 10 and 12. They live in California with their father and we live in Alabama. Recently, child protective services were called on the father and step-mother and the youngest child cried over the phone telling us his step-mother is physically and verbally abusive. Both children unsolicited say they want to live with us. We tried talking to the father and he is not communicating with us. The children will be staying with us in Alabama from June-August. What is our best course of action?

Thanks.