21 Years Old Got My 16 Year Old Girlfriend Pregnant

Yes, I know that it isn't a guarantee. However, I still need to know how to actually go about trying to do this.

http://www.childwelfare.gov/systemwi...t_interest.cfm


The child's wishes. Approximately 11 States and the District of Columbia require courts to consider the child's wishes when making a determination of best interests.16 In making this determination, the court will consider whether the child is of an age and level of maturity to express a reasonable preference.

I cant find the exact thing. However, Its based of this which is the minors wishes. Once they reach age of 16 they can be placed in independent living. Which yes I know it still up to the state and the state has control of her. However, this is in reference to her actually having a say about NOT being in a Foster Home.


http://jfs.ohio.gov/ocf/olderyouthinitiatives.stm

Youth that are in the custody of a public children service agency and are 16 years of age or older are required to receive independent living services. Chafee allocations are passed to the states and Ohio, in turn, passes 100% of the allocations to the 88 counties.

If a child is 16 years or older and is likely to remain in care the agency is responsible for ensuring that a written independent living plan to achieve self-sufficiency shall be developed within thirty days of the completion of an assessment. The plan should be based upon the result of the assessment and include input from the youth, the youth’s case manager, the caregiver, and significant other in the youth’s life. The independent plan should document the strengths, limitations, and resources of the youth and shall outline the services that will be provided to the youth. The independent living plan should be reviewed at least every ninety days thereafter until the agency’s custody is terminated. While the youth is custody certain Independent living services must be provided to the youth and should serve and prepare the youth for transition into independence. The types of independent living services that are to be provided include but not limited to:

The problem is that you almost certainly destroyed ANY hope of ANY of that happening, once you got her PREGNANT. You keep acting as if she's Miss Super Responsible, but the very fact that she's pregnant at 16 is proof to the court of exactly the opposite. When a child HAS a child, the WHOLE game, and ALL of the rules, change. On her own, sure, there might have been a shot, now....

Start calling those attorneys.

It wasnt something that was planned. Accidents do happen no matter how much a person trys to avoid them. The fact is that it has happened and I am trying to take care of what I caused.

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Quoting Eternaldan

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It wasnt something that was planned. Accidents do happen no matter how much a person trys to avoid them. The fact is that it has happened and I am trying to take care of what I caused.

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You were walking down the hallway naked, tripped and landed on top of her. It occurred by accident correct? You are soooooo going to jail!!!

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I cant find the exact thing. However, Its based of this which is the minors wishes. Once they reach age of 16 they can be placed in independent living.

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That's because "the exact thing" doesn't exist. What you're citing is guidelines for custody cases. This has NOTHING to do with foster care. One more time, kids in care do not get more rights than kids in traditional family situations.

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If a child is 16 years or older and is likely to remain in care the agency is responsible for ensuring that a written independent living plan to achieve self-sufficiency shall be developed within thirty days of the completion of an assessment.

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That doesn't mean that she would be able to live on her own at 16. It means the agency teaches her proper skills so she doesn't wind up on welfare when she ages out of the system.

Understand this, and understand it NOW: This child is not going to be released to you. You are facing very, very serious difficulties, and if you don't take Catherine's advice and lawyer up, you're going to be BURIED.

As I said Monday I plan on contacting a lawyer before work. Currently everything is closed until then or I would sooner. I never said anything about her being released to me. Im talking about possible marriage due to the pregnancy. Our local judge is been aware of her situation for some time. Also, directly said if someone would bring to him a safe and willing place to take her he would approve it. Due to how bad her situation actually is. Hence why Im also looking more into trying to do the marriage based on the court as we would get the judge that is already aware of the situation as its a small town and hes the only one there is. My concern is hers and the babies safety. Without actually knowing the entire situation I understand you can only come up with so many answers or solutions. Im just looking for some wisdom that could actually help me. As well some inside knowledge so I dont get completely blindsided.

The judge told you that?

Really?

Without so much as a motion being filed?

Interesting.

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Our local judge is been aware of her situation for some time. Also, directly said if someone would bring to him a safe and willing place to take her he would approve it

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Prior to all this happening I was working with her real mother to get custody of her back. She was trying to file and work with the probation department when all this was said. He knows the family and all the issues in detail. Yes, normally things of this nature would get people fired but where I live the county tends to make its own rules half the time. At the time all this going on he knew the situation that was happening where she was staying and knew about the abuse. He as well wants her away from the situation and wants her with friends or family. Not in some home or anything of that matter. As I said we live in a very small town and things are done quite half assed. Her real mothered died on October 25th. He said he doesnt want to see her in a home especially with all the trauma and everything else that has occurred and if people bring him the paperwork he is willing to work with things to figure something decent out. Which is why I want to atleast try to file a motion of petition for the marriage. If it doesnt work then it doesnt, however, it is atleast worth a try.

So we also have a judge completely overstepping his boundaries.

Wow.

Ok, I'm at a loss for words.

If you seen how our county actually worked and some of the cases you would be amazed. They literally do whatever the hell they want with almost no regards to the actual Ohio revised codes at all. Which is why I plan on getting a lawyer from another town. Due to the fact of these issues. Im not really sure how to handle things because of this. Rather people believe what Im saying or not is one thing. However, sadly it is completely true. I just need help on atleast trying. I know mistakes happened and Im not trying to get looked down on only make a actual attempt of helping change all the issues that have been caused. Its a long shot but Im still wondering if any actual charges could be pressed due to what Child Services has said. Rather the girl ends up with a friend or something that cares about her is fine. I just dont want to see her put through the system and foster homes for no reason. When there are people willing to help and take her. My petition if only a thought to attempt in the process as well