Mother Kicked Child Out to Father's Custody then "Disappeared"
My question involves a child custody case from the State of: Louisiana/Texas
My 17 year old step-daughter was recently kicked out by her mother in Texas. She was put on a bus and sent to live with me and her father in Louisiana with nothing but the clothes on her back. Her mother has since stopped taking any of our phone calls, does not respond to texts, and has moved away from the only address we have for her.
As of right now these are our biggest concerns:
-We cannot enroll her in school because we do not have access to her previous school records, SS card, etc...
-We cannot enroll her for health insurance as she is still enrolled in Texas medicaid
-As of right now the original child support/custody arrangement is still in place despite the fact that she is living with us. We had papers drawn up to allow her father to have custodial rights and to alleviate him from support responsibilities while she lives with him but the mother refused to sign.
Of course there are other concerns but our priorities at the moment are getting her enrolled in school, getting her medical care, and getting her a LA state ID so that she can get a job if she chooses. I have been told that because she is 17 she falls into this "gray area" that alleviates her mother's responsibilities but still limits her ability to care for herself. We can't afford a long drawn out court battle and she will be 18 in July so anything too long and drawn out would be pointless anyway. She needs to be in school now. Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated!
Re: Mother Kicked Child Out to Father's Custody then "Disappeared"
Quote:
Quoting
Laura Kreller
My question involves a child custody case from the State of: Louisiana/Texas
My 17 year old step-daughter was recently kicked out by her mother in Texas. She was put on a bus and sent to live with me and her father in Louisiana with nothing but the clothes on her back. Her mother has since stopped taking any of our phone calls, does not respond to texts, and has moved away from the only address we have for her.
As of right now these are our biggest concerns:
-We cannot enroll her in school because we do not have access to her previous school records, SS card, etc...
-We cannot enroll her for health insurance as she is still enrolled in Texas medicaid
-As of right now the original child support/custody arrangement is still in place despite the fact that she is living with us. We had papers drawn up to allow her father to have custodial rights and to alleviate him from support responsibilities while she lives with him but the mother refused to sign.
Of course there are other concerns but our priorities at the moment are getting her enrolled in school, getting her medical care, and getting her a LA state ID so that she can get a job if she chooses. I have been told that because she is 17 she falls into this "gray area" that alleviates her mother's responsibilities but still limits her ability to care for herself. We can't afford a long drawn out court battle and she will be 18 in July so anything too long and drawn out would be pointless anyway. She needs to be in school now. Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated!
Her father can march right down to the local Social Security office and get a copy of her SSN to get her enrolled in school. She knows what school she went to in Louisiana and he can call them and request that they transfer her records to the new school.
He should be able to enroll her in his health insurance plan at work even if she is on TX Medicaid.
Re: Mother Kicked Child Out to Father's Custody then "Disappeared"
Quote:
Quoting
Laura Kreller
-We cannot enroll her in school because we do not have access to her previous school records, SS card, etc...
The only documents that are required before you can enroll a child in school are a birth certificate (or equivalent proof of identity), records from the child's prior school, and (if applicable) an immunization record. See Texas Education Code, Sec. 25.002. A child will generally be allowed to enroll in school while a request is made to the child's prior school for a copy of the child's records -- and, at 17, a child will know the name and location of her prior school.
A school may request a SSN, but if you cannot provide one the school will simply assign a state-approved alternative student identification number. As you've been told, it should be easy enough to determine the child's SSN if she doesn't know it, and to get a replacement card.
Re: Mother Kicked Child Out to Father's Custody then "Disappeared"
Quote:
Quoting
Mr. Knowitall
The only documents that are required before you can enroll a child in school are a birth certificate (or equivalent proof of identity), records from the child's prior school, and (if applicable) an immunization record. See Texas Education Code, Sec. 25.002. A child will generally be allowed to enroll in school while a request is made to the child's prior school for a copy of the child's records -- and, at 17, a child will know the name and location of her prior school.
A school may request a SSN, but if you cannot provide one the school will simply assign a state-approved alternative student identification number. As you've been told, it should be easy enough to determine the child's SSN if she doesn't know it, and to get a replacement card.
Child is NOT in Texas, but in Louisiana.
Quote:
My 17 year old step-daughter was recently kicked out by her mother in Texas. She was put on a bus and sent to live with me and her father in Louisiana with nothing but the clothes on her back.
Bossier Parish schools require:
Quote:
Q3. What Information do I need to bring with me to enroll my child?
New students must bring the following:
1. Proof of residence (current utility bill or lease—no phone/cell phone)
2. Birth certificate
3. Louisiana Immunization (Shot) Record (example)
http://www.bossierschools.org/enrollment
Jefferson Parish schools require:
Quote:
General Registration Information
To find out your student’s assigned school, please use our school/transportation search tool at jpschools.org/findaschool.
To expedite your student’s enrollment, please bring the following documents with you to the school:
Two proofs of residence (lease, utility bill, etc.)
Your student(s)’s immunization records
Your student(s)’s birth certificate(s). A birth certificate is used only for verifying the student’s legal name, date of birth, and the parent’s name. A foreign birth certificate is an acceptable document for verifying the student’s information.
Your student(s)’s final report card from the previous school year (except kindergarten)
Your student(s)’s transcript from the school previously attended (only for high school transfers)
Your student(s)’s custody papers (if applicable)
http://jpschools.org/families/enroll-in-a-school/
Seems OP's husband needs to contact the schools in the Parish they reside in and see what they require for enrollment.