How to Help a Teen to Stay in a Safe Environment and in School

[concerned in ohio]

My question involves guardianship in the State of: Ohio

We've been caring for a young man for two years. He is sixteen and enrolled in school. We take care of him just like one of our own. He was basically given to us by his father, who was living week to week in a motel and is an alcoholic. The father moved out of town several months ago without informing us he was leaving. He just disappeared. The boy found him by contacting his sister who informed him that he was living near her, several hours away.

The father now is living in his ex-wife's sisters basement and has informed the boy that he wants him to come and live with him now. His lifestyle has not changed, just slightly better living arrangements. The parents have been separated for years. The mother has other children in her house but kicked this boy out at fourteen. That is when he started having to live with his father, and shortly after came to live with us. The boy does not want to move. He is aware of the living conditions he will be moving into. His room in the new location is a 5X8 converted closet. The boy has also informed us that his parents allowed his older siblings to drop out of school at 16. Both are now involved with drugs and drinking. He has told his parents that he would like to stay here and complete his High School and Trade School. His father is demanding that he come "home" to "have the family close". We have cared for the boy completely for two years. We have never asked a cent from the parents or the government. We would just like to see the boy complete his schooling as is his wish.

If it matters, the boy is within a month of his seventeenth birthday.

We know that guardianship is not usually granted to non family. Even if that is not a good possibility, please feel free to offer alternatives as well. We have found that Ohio does not recognize emancipation, so that is not a route he could take.

Thanks in advance for your time.

[Mr. Knowitall]

Ohio can grant a guardianship over a minor only if the child's parents are found to be unsuitable. You're in a good position to argue that you should receive guardianship based upon the fact that the minor has lived with you for two years and wants to continue that arrangement, but that analysis comes second. First you need to demonstrate parental unfitness. I cannot promise that "His private sleeping space is a 5 x 8 converted closet" is going to be sufficient, nor that his older siblings' problems are going to be deemed relevant.

By "ex-wife's sister", you mean somebody other than the boy's maternal aunt? Why did she agree to let the father stay with her, and given the facts is there cause to believe that she might change her mind? Not many people enjoy living with an unemployed alcoholic.

[concerned in ohio]

Thank you for the reply. It is the maternal aunts house. She has the young man do heavy jobs for her so she would probably allow him to stay as long as he performed those jobs or worked and brought her the check. (He's been there before, but not with his father.) The father has been in prison before, for domestic violence. The mother isn't abusive to him, she just doesn't take care of her children. He doesn't want to go back to that lifestyle and we can't blame him. We're not sure where to go from here. Thanks again.